True or False: The change in length of a pipe can be calculated using the coefficient of linear expansion and the length of the pipe.

The statement is true because the change in length of a pipe due to temperature variations can indeed be calculated using the coefficient of linear expansion. This coefficient is a material property that quantifies how much a unit length of a given material expands per degree of temperature change.

When you multiply this coefficient by the original length of the pipe and the change in temperature, you can determine the amount that the pipe will expand or contract. The formula used is:

ΔL = α × L0 × ΔT

where ΔL is the change in length, α is the coefficient of linear expansion, L0 is the original length of the pipe, and ΔT is the change in temperature. This relationship holds true for most materials within a certain range of temperatures, making it a reliable method for calculating length changes due to thermal expansion.

Understanding this principle is essential for engineering applications, as failure to account for thermal expansion in pipe systems could lead to mechanical issues or failures.