One end of a 2 m aluminum rod is placed 0.6 cm from the end of a 2 m steel rod, when the rods are at 293 K. The other ends are clamped so they cannot move.
a. At what absolute temperature will the ends touch?
b. Again starting at 293 K, the steel rod is replaced by a brass rod 1.92 m long, also placed 0.6 cm from the aluminum rod and clamped tight on its other end. At what absolute temperature will the two rods touch?
