Aluminum rivets used in airplane construction are made slightly too large for the rivet holes to be sure of a tight fit. The rivets are cooled with dry ice (-78.5°C) before they are driven into the holes. If the holes have a diameter of 0.6350 cm at 21.4°C, what should be the diameter of the rivets at 20.5°C if they are to just fit when cooled to the temperature of dry ice?
Ive been trying to figure this one out, if any physics guys know what is going on it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
2007-10-19 08:02:56 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Good question.
You need to find the thermal expansion coefficient for aluminum.
(I'll give you a hint, just google: thermal expansion aluminum)
The expansion is based on temperature so just plug in the change in temperature and the diameter at -78.5 deg.
New Diameter = Old Diameter * delta T * Thermal Expansion Coefficient
Good Luck
2007-10-19 09:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋