How does thermal expansion differ between solids, liquids, and gases? Provide examples to illustrate these differences.

Solution & explanation

Solids retain shape and show length, area and volume changes, as in a rail. Liquids change volume, as in a thermometer; observed rise depends on expansion of the container too. Gases at constant pressure generally expand much more, as in a flexible balloon. At fixed volume, heating a gas raises pressure instead of volume. There are exceptions, including water between 0 and 4°C.