Coefficients of Thermal Expansion of Solids

This paper examines changes in the linear dimensions of solids associated with anharmonicity in the thermal vibrations of molecules that make up the crystal lattice of the solid as the temperature changes. As a result of these vibrations, the distances between the solid's particles change with temperature. It is also shown that the thermal expansion coefficients of many solids are small, on the order of 10 -5 ÷ 10 -6 K -1.