College Physics III – Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism
Definition
Thermal stress is the stress induced in a material due to changes in temperature. It occurs when thermal expansion or contraction is constrained, leading to internal forces within the material.
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Thermal stress arises when a material undergoes non-uniform temperature changes, causing different parts of the material to expand or contract at different rates.
The formula for thermal stress is $\sigma = E \alpha \Delta T$, where $\sigma$ is the thermal stress, $E$ is the Young's modulus, $\alpha$ is the coefficient of linear expansion, and $\Delta T$ is the change in temperature.
Materials with higher coefficients of thermal expansion will experience greater thermal stresses for a given temperature change.
Thermal stress can lead to structural failure or deformation if not properly accounted for in design and engineering processes.
Common applications that must consider thermal stress include bridges, pipelines, and electronic components.
Review Questions
What causes thermal stress in a material?
How does the coefficient of linear expansion affect thermal stress?
Why is it important to consider thermal stress in engineering applications?