A thin steel plate of initial area 0.0800m2 at 25∘C is subjected to the following thermal cycle:
Step 1: Heated uniformly to 125∘C.
Step 2: Cooled back to 25∘C.
The coefficient of linear expansion of steel is α=1.1×10−5K−1.
(a) Show, with calculation, whether the plate regains its original area after one complete cycle.
(b) If the same plate undergoes five identical heating–cooling cycles in succession, determine the cumulative change in its area, if any.
(c) Comment on the practical significance of your result for machine parts that experience repeated thermal cycling.