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Name: lilac
Status: student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000
Question:
Why does metal expand?

Replies:
Dear Lilac,

Metal usually expands when heated because the atoms of the metal start to move faster when they have more energy. It's sort of like handing a piece of chocolate to a 5 year old; after they eat the chocolate, he or she starts running around and bouncing off the walls, right? The chocolate gives him/her more energy, so he/she moves around more and explores more space. Same with the metal atoms; when you heat the metal you give energy to the atoms and they move around more as a result.

best wishes,
prof. topper


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