Thermal Expansion
See how heat makes atoms vibrate and materials expand.
Temperature & Expansion
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance. When you heat something up, its atoms vibrate more intensely. This increased vibration causes the atoms to push their neighbors further away, leading to the expansion of the material as a whole. This is called thermal expansion.
The Bimetallic Strip
A bimetallic strip is made of two different metals bonded together. Different materials expand by different amounts for the same temperature change. When heated, the metal that expands more forces the strip to bend. This principle is used in old thermostats and thermal switches. Watch the "Microscope View" to see why this happens!
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What's Happening?
Live Data
Top Metal α: 0
Bottom Metal α: 0
Tip Deflection: 0.0 px