The Coefficient of Expansion defines the amount a material expands that corresponds to the growth of the material over the temperature change; the coefficient is substance-specific.
When a substance experiences a change in temperature, if often also experiences a change in volume; an example of this is metal expanding when introduced to heat. Observing the change in volume over the change in temperature gives the coefficient of expansion.
Key Points
• The coefficient of expansion is volume and temperature-dependent.
