Two steel rails

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

Problem

Two steel rails, each

15.0\,\text{m}

long at

0^{\circ}\text{C}

, are to be laid with a clearance that will just prevent buckling when the temperature rises to

50^{\circ}\text{C}

. Taking the coefficient of linear expansion of steel as

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

, calculate the minimum gap that must be left between the rails at

0^{\circ}\text{C}