Question

What change in temperature occurs in order to increase the volume of 16 L of ethyl alcohol to 17 L?
a)56.8*C b)1450*C c)53.5*C d) 90*C
I can't seem to get one of the answers.
I used the equation (change in volume)=beta(initial volume)(change of time).

1 L=(3)(1.12x10^-4)(16 L)(change in temperature)

change in temperature= 186

Answer 1

I found this volume expansion coefficient on the web.
http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/general_physics/2_3/2_3_5.html

Answer 2

That still does not help me.

Answer 3

I think your linear coefficent is not the one used to calculate the answers. Does your text have any other values? The expansion coefficient for ethyl alcohol varies with temperature, it is not a constant.

Answer 4

The bulk thermal expansion coefficient of liquid ethyl alcohol from 0 to 60 C is 1.075*10^-3 C^-1. You want to increase the volume by a factor of 17/16 = 1.0625


(delta V)/V = 1.075*10^-3 C^-1 * (delta T) = 1.0625
delta T = 99C

I would pick answer (d). They may have used a different reference, or a different temperature range, for the expansion coefficient.

The reference I used was
http://www.efunda.com/materials/common_matl/show_liquid.cfm?MatlName=AlcoholEthanol
I used the table of densities at different temperatures. It provides no number for the expansion coefficient itself