Thermal expansion of a solid is due to the

Question

Thermal expansion of a solid is due to the (A) symmetric characteristic of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid (B) asymmetric characteristic of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid (C) double well nature of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid (D) rotational motion of the atoms of the solid

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

An approximate potential energy curve for two particles is as shown below.

Here

E_{1}, E_{2}

and

E_{3}

, are the total energy
values of particles. As temperature increases, total energy

E

increases.
Hence, mean separation

r

also increases. Note That mean separation

r

is mid point of length of

E

intercepted by potential energy curve.

Q. Thermal expansion of a solid is due to the

symmetric characteristic of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid

asymmetric characteristic of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid

double well nature of the inter atomic potential energy curve of the solid

rotational motion of the atoms of the solid