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In a bimetallic strip thermometer, brass and steel are paired because on heating:
ANeither metal expands at all
BBrass expands more than steel
CSteel expands more than brass
DBoth expand by equal amounts
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Brass expands more than steel
1. A bimetallic strip converts a temperature change into a mechanical movement.
2. That only works if the two metals respond differently.
3. When heated or cooled, one of the metals, brass, expands or contracts more than the other metal, steel.
4. The mismatch causes the strip to coil or uncoil, which moves the pointer.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 5 'Thermochemistry', sections 5.1-5.3_
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