Thermal expansion is a change in dimensions of a material resulting from a change in temperature. All objects change size with changes in temperature. The change ΔL in any linear dimension L is given by
in which α is the thermal coefficient of linear expansion, Lo is the initial or reference dimension at temperature To (reference temperature) and ΔT is change in temperature which causes the change in dimension.
The change ΔV in the volume of a sample of solid or liquid is
Here γ is coefficient of volume expansion, Vo is the volume of the sample at temperature To and ΔV is the change in volume over the temperature range ΔT. With isotropic substances, the coefficient of volume expansion can be calculated from the coefficient of linear expansion: γ = 3α.
Generalic, Eni. "Thermal expansion." Croatian-English Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary. 29 June 2022. KTF-Split. {Date of access}. <https://glossary.periodni.com>.
Glossary
Periodic Table