dilatációs

Dilatáció is a term used in physics and engineering to describe the expansion or contraction of a substance due to changes in temperature or pressure. In the context of thermal expansion, most materials increase in volume when heated and decrease in volume when cooled. This phenomenon is governed by the material's coefficient of thermal expansion, which quantifies how much its size changes per degree of temperature change.

Engineers must account for dilatáció in structural design. For example, bridges and railway tracks are built with expansion joints to allow for the expansion and contraction caused by temperature fluctuations, preventing stress buildup and potential damage. Similarly, in plumbing, pipes can expand and contract, and this must be considered to avoid leaks or ruptures.

Dilatáció is not limited to solids. Liquids and gases also undergo thermal expansion, though often to a greater extent than solids. The expansion of gases, as described by the ideal gas law, is particularly significant. Pressure-induced dilatáció, or compression, occurs when a substance's volume changes due to applied pressure. This is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. The term can also refer to the widening of a body opening, a medical application related to bodily tissues.