An automobile fuel tank is filled to the brim with 45 L of gasoline (12 gal) at 20°C. Immediately afterward, the vehicle is parked in the sunlight, where the temperature is 45°C. How much gasoline overflows from the tank as a result of the expansion? (Neglect the expansion of the tank.)
2006-11-13 02:51:48 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
You cannot answer this question without knowing the volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion for gasoline. If you did know it, and it had a value of b (usually beta), the final volume, V_f, would be proportional to the original volume, V_0, by the relation V_f*(1+b)*T, where T is the change in temperature, 25°C. An amount equal to V_f - V_0 would overflow. If you instead knew the linear coefficient of thermal expansion for gasoline, a (usually alpha), you could also say V_f = V_0*[(1 + a)^3]*T.
2006-11-13 02:53:32 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋