Physics quiz question: cooling metal container with liquid contents

Physics 205A Quiz 7, fall semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cf. Giambattista/Richardson/Richardson, Physics, 2/e, Problem 13.14

A metal container is filled to the brim with a liquid. If the temperature decreases, under which conditions would the liquid overflow? (There are no changes in phase.)
(A) 3α_metal > β_liquid.
(B) 3α_metal = β_liquid.
(C) 3α_metal < β_liquid.
(D) (Two of the above choices.)
(E) (All of the above choices.)
(F) (None of the above choices.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

If the temperature decreases, the liquid would overflow the container if the metal container contracted more than the liquid contents. This means that the volume expansion coefficient of the metal would need to be greater than the volume expansion coefficient of the liquid.

Sections 70854, 70855
Exam code: quiz07h3A7
(A) : 29 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 17 students
(D) : 5 students
(E) : 0 students
(F) : 0 students

Success level: 56%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.76