Introduction

This TLP is in three parts. The first part involves using the deflection of a cantiliver beam to measure the Young's Modulus of three materials.

In the second part, the origin of thermal expansion in a solid is considered. The relationship between the curvature of a bimaterial strip, the stiffness and thermal expansivities of the materials from which it is made, and the temperature change undergone is examined. The boiling temperature of nitrogen is then estimated by using this relationship and measuring the change in shape of a bimaterial strip made from materials (steel and aluminium) of known thermal expansivities.

In the third part, the previous experiment is repeated with a bi-material strip composed of aluminium and a polybicarbonate. The measured curvature, together with the estimated boiling temperature of nitrogen from the second part, is used to estimate the thermal expansivity of the polycarbonate.