Thermal Expansion Worksheet

This thermal expansion worksheet uses examples of thermal expansion from the REAL WORLD to reinforce that objects expand when heated and contract when cooled.

Includes PRINT and GOOGLE versions!

⭐ Get this resource at a discount in our Heat Worksheet Set!

This 3-page worksheet has 3 sections:

• Section One focuses on different things that have to be engineered with thermal expansion in mind – bridges, telephone wires, and railroad tracks.
• Section Two includes a short text passage and follow-up questions about fire sprinklers, many of which work because of thermal expansion.
• Section Three has a text passage about how engineers took thermal expansion into account when designing the Trans-Alaska pipeline.

This is a MIDDLE SCHOOL level worksheet and does not include any math. The focus of this worksheet is strictly to reinforce the idea that objects expand when heated and contract when cooled and that many engineering projects must take thermal expansion into account.

Teacher Notes:

• SAVE $$ on this resource in our Heat Worksheet Set!
• A link to the Google Slides version is provided within the downloadable PDF.
• INCLUDES AN ANSWER KEY.
• Please note that this thermal expansion worksheet is not editable.
• You can also shop our TPT store!

Related Standards:

• NGSS MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
• NGSS MS-PS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.