Why is it difficult to measure the coefficient of expansion of a liquid than solid ?
[amp_mcq option1=”Liquids tend to evaporate at all temperatures” option2=”Liquids conduct more heat” option3=”Liquids expand too much when heated” option4=”Their containers also expand when heated” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
$V_{observed} = V_{real, liquid} – V_{expansion, container}$
To find the real coefficient of volume expansion of the liquid, one needs to account for the expansion of the container, which itself has a coefficient of volume expansion (or linear expansion, from which volume expansion can be derived). This adds complexity to the measurement process compared to measuring the expansion of a solid rod or block, where the change in length or volume is directly measured.
Option D correctly identifies this key difficulty: the container’s expansion must be factored in.