Asked by Riley

By what amount will a 178 m long concrete slab on the Mackinac Bridge contract when going from +39C to -35C? The linear expansion coefficient is 10^-5 per C.
Answered by Steve
looks to me like

(-35-39)°C * 10^-5 m/°C = -74*10^-5 m

always keep track of the units; that will help set up the calculation
Answered by Riley
I got .13172 m is that correct?
Answered by Damon
it is delta L/L

(-35-39)*10^-5 nothing/degC *178
or -13172*10^-5 or -.132 m or -13 cm
Answered by Damon
Yes Riley
Answered by Steve
boy, I guess I blew that one!
Guess I'll leave the physics to Damon.
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