A can of gasoline has a rectangular base with dimensions of 13.5 cm by 13 cm. If there are 3 liters of gasoline in the can, how much does the surface of the gasoline rise (in mm) in the can when the temperature is raised by 45C? The coefficient for volume expansion of gasoline is 9.5 10-4/C.

Answer 1

change in volume = surface area * delta h

delta volume/volume = 45 * 9.5 * 10^-4

volume = 3 liters = 3*10^-3 m*3

so
delta volume = 3 *10^-7 *45 * 9.5
= 1282*10^-7 m^3

surface area = .135*.13 = 1.755*10^-2
so
1.282*10^-4 = 1.755 *10^-2 delta h

delta h = .73 * 10^-2 meters
or .73 cm