moving bridge · Physics Brawl 2022 #8

Physics · thermodynamics

Problem

A road bridge of length L=8L = 8 m is firmly anchored on one side. The other side is placed on sturdy cylinders of radius r=6r = 6 cm. The cylinders lay on a rigid flat surface on which they can move freely in a horizontal direction. [Figure: Simple diagram showing bridge with cylinder] By what angle will the cylinders rotate between winter, when the temperature is tz=−10°t_z = -10°C, and summer, when the temperature is tl=30°t_l = 30°C? The coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the bridge is α=1.0⋅10−5\alpha = 1.0 \cdot 10^{-5} K⁻¹. Note that the cylinders do not slip and that there is a gap between the road and the moving end of the bridge.

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