Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Thermal Expansion
Thermal expansion refers to the increase in volume of a substance as its temperature rises. In liquids, this phenomenon occurs because the molecules move more vigorously at higher temperatures, causing them to occupy more space. Understanding thermal expansion is crucial for predicting how the volume of ethanol will change as it cools from 32.0°C to 18.0°C.
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Volume Contraction of Liquids
Volume contraction is the decrease in volume of a liquid as its temperature decreases. For ethanol, this means that as it cools, its molecules will move closer together, resulting in a reduction in volume. This concept is essential for calculating how much additional volume can be accommodated in the tank after the ethanol cools.
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Density and Volume Relationship
The relationship between density and volume is described by the formula density = mass/volume. As the temperature of a liquid changes, its density also changes due to thermal expansion or contraction. Knowing the density of ethanol at different temperatures allows for accurate calculations of how much additional ethanol can fit in the tank after accounting for the volume change due to cooling.
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Problems with Mass, Volume, & Density