Two steel rails

PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Thermal Properties of Matter · Thermal Properties of Matter

Problem

Two steel rails, each

12\,\text{m}

long, are laid side by side at

20^{\circ}\text{C}

. The coefficient of linear expansion of steel is

1.2\times10^{-5}\,\text{K}^{-1}

. Calculate the minimum gap that must be left between their ends so that there is no compression when the temperature rises to

50^{\circ}\text{C}