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.

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

I got .13172 m is that correct?

Answer 3

it is delta L/L

(-35-39)*10^-5 nothing/degC *178
or -13172*10^-5 or -.132 m or -13 cm

Answer 4

Yes Riley

Answer 5

boy, I guess I blew that one!
Guess I'll leave the physics to Damon.