Contextualization

Volumetric expansion is a phenomenon that occurs when a body undergoes an increase in its volume due to a rise in temperature. This is a concept that is present in our daily lives in ways that may not be immediately apparent. It can be observed on race tracks, where there are spaces between concrete blocks to accommodate material expansion during intense heat; on train tracks, which are designed with specific spacing to prevent warping due to expansion; and even in the way we cook our food.

Studying volumetric expansion is of utmost importance for us to better understand how various real-world phenomena and applications work. This study is associated with various disciplines in science and engineering, such as meteorology, civil construction, materials engineering, among others. Understanding this concept is fundamental for innovation and technological advancement.

Volumetric expansion is everywhere in our daily lives, even if we don't realize it. It is the reason why roads have cracks, buildings have joints, and kitchen utensils have insulated handles. It is also a crucial factor in the engineering and design of many systems that keep us alive and comfortable.

To help you build a solid foundation and delve deeper into the topic, we recommend the following resources:

1. FEPECS - provides a detailed introduction to volumetric expansion and its related concepts.
2. Brasil Escola - a comprehensive explanation of volumetric expansion with real-world examples.
3. Mundo Educação - more information about volumetric expansion and the relationship between temperature and volume.
4. Canal Brasil Escola (Youtube) - Video about volumetric expansion of solids.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Experimenting with Volumetric Expansion

Project Objective:

This activity aims to help students understand the concept of volumetric expansion through the implementation of a practical experiment, stimulating creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Detailed Project Description:

Each team must prepare an experiment to demonstrate volumetric expansion. Students need to investigate a material that expands noticeably when heated and contracts when cooled. The experiment should be documented in a video, clearly showing the process, expansion, and contraction. The video should not exceed 5 minutes and should include notes and observations made by the students. The team should also research the volume variation of other materials with temperature changes and present this in the written report.

Required Materials:

• Glass or heat-resistant plastic balloon
• Water
• Bunsen burner or another heat source
• Thermometer
• Ruler or measuring tape

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Fill the balloon with water to a level that can be easily measured with a ruler or measuring tape (e.g., up to 10cm in diameter).
2. Measure and record the initial diameter of the balloon.
3. Heat the balloon using the heat source. Ensure this is done safely and always supervised by an adult
4. Observe and record the balloon's diameter at regular intervals while it is being heated.
5. After the balloon reaches its maximum size (be careful not to burst), cool it down gradually.
6. Observe and record the balloon's diameter at regular intervals during cooling.
7. Compare the measurements taken during heating and cooling.

Project Delivery:

The final project delivery should be divided into two parts: practical and written.

Practical Part: It should consist of a video documenting the experiment. The video should start with a brief introduction of the group, followed by an explanation of the experiment's objective. During the experiment, notes and observations should be spoken and shown to the viewer. At the end of the video, a brief discussion on the obtained results should be presented.

Written Part: After completing the practical part of the project, students should write a report containing the four main topics: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

1. Introduction: Provide context for volumetric expansion, its relevance in the real world, and the objective of the conducted experiment.
2. Development: Explain the theory of volumetric expansion, describe the activity in detail, including the methodology used, and present the results obtained.
3. Conclusions: Summarize the main points of the experiment, discuss the learnings acquired, and explain the conclusions about volumetric expansion drawn from the experiment.
4. Bibliography: List all research sources used to understand the theory of volumetric expansion and to plan the experiment.

All materials must be delivered within one week from the project start date.