Strain produced in a rod after expansion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the strain developed in a rod when its temperature is increased, while it is placed on a frictionless surface. The initial equations presented were incorrect, leading to confusion about the strain and stress values. The correct formula for strain is derived as αΔT, indicating that strain occurs despite the absence of stress due to the rod being unconstrained. Participants clarify that the book's answer of zero strain is incorrect, emphasizing that strain can exist without stress in this scenario. The conversation concludes with an agreement on the correct interpretation of the problem.
Hamza Abbasi
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Homework Statement



A rod of length ##L_o## is kept on a friction-less surface. The coefficient of linear expansion for the material of the rod is ##\alpha##. The the temperature of the rod is increased by ##\Delta T## the strain developed in the rod will be?

Homework Equations


  1. $$ \Delta L= L_o(1+\alpha \Delta T) $$
  2. $$Strain (Linear ) = \frac{\Delta L}{ L_o}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


$$ Strain= \frac{ L_o(1+\alpha \Delta T)}{L_o} $$
$$ Strain =(1+\alpha \Delta T)$$

Whereas the answer in book is zero !
 
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Your answer is incorrect, and so is the answer in the book. The first equation should read $$\Delta L=L_0(1+\alpha \Delta T-L_0=L_0\alpha \Delta T$$So the strain is just ##\alpha \Delta T##. Are you sure they weren't asking for the stress?
 
The book answer is wrong. The stress developed in the rod will be zero if the surface is frictionless, but the strain won't.
Your answer is also wrong. Equation 1 should be L = L0(1 + αΔT). Then ΔL = L - L0.
(Note this is an approximation that applies when ΔT is small. What if it is large?)

Edit: Beat me to it!
 
Chestermiller said:
Your answer is incorrect, and so is the answer in the book. The first equation should read $$\Delta L=L_0(1+\alpha \Delta T-L_0=L_0\alpha \Delta T$$So the strain is just ##\alpha \Delta T##. Are you sure they weren't asking for the stress?
Yes , I am sure . Question was about strain/
 
mjc123 said:
The book answer is wrong. The stress developed in the rod will be zero if the surface is frictionless, but the strain won't.
Your answer is also wrong. Equation 1 should be L = L0(1 + αΔT). Then ΔL = L - L0.
(Note this is an approximation that applies when ΔT is small. What if it is large?)

Edit: Beat me to it!
Oh yes! I wrote equation 1 wrong !
Got it :smile::smile:
 
mjc123 said:
The book answer is wrong. The stress developed in the rod will be zero if the surface is frictionless, but the strain won't.
Your answer is also wrong. Equation 1 should be L = L0(1 + αΔT). Then ΔL = L - L0.
(Note this is an approximation that applies when ΔT is small. What if it is large?)

Edit: Beat me to it!
Why is stress zero?
 
Hamza Abbasi said:
Why is stress zero?
Because the bar is unconstrained while it is expanding. There are no forces acting on it.
 
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Likes Hamza Abbasi
Thank you for guiding :smile: . Problem solved !
 
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