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Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. The change in volume ΔV depends on the original volume V₀, the temperature change ΔT and the material's volumetric expansion coefficient β (approximately 3α for isotropic solids).
Change in volume from temperature change.
ΔV = β V₀ ΔT
β is the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient (1/°C or 1/K), V₀ the original volume and ΔT the temperature change. For isotropic solids β ≈ 3α.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ΔV | Change in volume. |
| V₀ | Original volume. |
| β | Volumetric expansion coefficient. |
| ΔT | Temperature change. |
ΔV = 57×10⁻⁶ × 0.001 × 100 = 5.7×10⁻⁶ m³ = 5.7 cm³.
Continue with the Density Calculator, Specific Gravity Calculator, or the Engineering Stress‑Strain Calculator — or browse more materials and elasticity tools and all physics calculators.
For isotropic solids β ≈ 3α. The relation holds because volume expansion occurs in three orthogonal directions.
Results are computed from the standard equations of classical mechanics. Unit conversions use the SI definitions published by NIST. Air resistance is ignored unless the calculator names a drag model.
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Content updated: September 2026