coefficient of expansion

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the fractional change in length, area, or volume per unit change in temperature of a solid, liquid, or gas at a given constant pressure.

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coefficient of expansion British  

noun

1. Also called: expansivity.  the amount of expansion (or contraction) per unit length of a material resulting from one degree change in temperature

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Etymology

Origin of coefficient of expansion

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The coefficient of expansion of silica glass is very low; therefore, rapid temperature changes do not cause it to fracture.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Although the monument is made of limestone, assume that its thermal coefficient of expansion is the same as marble’s.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

What volume of radiator fluid will overflow when the radiator and fluid reach their 95.0ºC operating temperature, given that the fluid’s volume coefficient of expansion is β = 400×10 – 6 / ºC ?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Steel has a slower heat conductivity, a lesser coefficient of expansion, which can probably be somewhat overcome by crafty alloying.

From Time Magazine Archive

But this is not the case, the coefficient of expansion for mercury being considerably greater than that for brass.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3 "Banks" to "Bassoon" by Various