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Name: Andrew
Status: student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2/15/2004
Question:
If you heat a metal ring equally on all sides, will the hole in the middle increase in size, decrease, or stay the same?

Replies:
The hole in the middle will increase in size.

During the 1800's blacksmiths took advantage of this to fit the metal rims on wooden wagon wheels. When they were heated the size of the hole expanded and they would fit over the wheel. They would then cool and contract, holding the spokes in compression and strengthening the wheel.

Greg Bradburn


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