Bimetallic Strip
Safety Warnings
Warning: Fire and Heat Hazard
Warning: Torch Operation Safety
Purpose
Demonstrates differential thermal expansion: two metals bonded together expand at different rates when heated, causing the strip to bend dramatically (~90°). Connects directly to thermostats, circuit breakers, and bimetallic thermometers.
Figure 1:
Bimetallic strip at room temperature, lying flat.
Figure 2:
After heating with a propane torch, the strip bends roughly 90°. The metal with the larger expansion coefficient is on the outside of the curve.
Equipment
- 1
Demo Apparatus
- 1