Thermal Expansion

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-027941",
  "term": "Thermal Expansion",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The increase in volume of a material as it gets warmer. For example, water expands as it is heated, causing each drop of water to increase in size. In the ocean, thermal expansion is one cause of rising sea level.\n\n2. The increase in volume (and decrease in density) that results from warming water. A warming of the ocean leads to an expansion of the ocean volume, which leads to an increase in sea level.\n\n3. Expansion of a substance as a result of the addition of heat. In the context of climate change, thermal expansion of the world's oceans in response to global warming is considered the predominant driver of current and future sea-level rise.",
  "subject": "Climate change",
  "references": [
    "Student's Guide to Global Climate Change",
    "Glossary of Climate Change Terms",
    "NOAA Climate Program Office Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/thermal-expansion/"
}