1 Answer
When you heat a bimetallic strip, the two metals in the strip expand at different rates because each metal has a different coefficient of thermal expansion (how much it expands with temperature).
Here’s what happens step by step:
This property is used in various applications, like thermostats, where the bending of the strip can be used to make or break a contact, helping to regulate temperature.
In short, heating a bimetallic strip causes it to bend due to the different expansion rates of the two metals.
Here’s what happens step by step:
- Different Expansion Rates: The two metals used in a bimetallic strip are chosen because they expand differently when heated. One metal expands more than the other.
- Bending of the Strip: As the strip is heated, the metal that expands more causes the strip to bend. The metal that expands less resists the bending.
- Curvature Direction: The metal that expands more (usually the one on the outside of the bend) pushes outward, while the metal that expands less (usually on the inside) resists this push. This makes the bimetallic strip curve in the direction of the metal that expands more.
This property is used in various applications, like thermostats, where the bending of the strip can be used to make or break a contact, helping to regulate temperature.
In short, heating a bimetallic strip causes it to bend due to the different expansion rates of the two metals.