expansion

expansion

1. Maths

a. the form of an expression or function when it is written as the sum or product of its terms

b. the act or process of determining this expanded form

2. the part of an engine cycle in which the working fluid does useful work by increasing in volume

3. Physics the increase in the dimensions of a body or substance when subjected to an increase in temperature, internal pressure, etc.

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

expansion

[ik′span·shən]

(electronics)

A process in which the effective gain of an amplifier is varied as a function of signal magnitude, the effective gain being greater for large signals than for small signals; the result is greater volume range in an audio amplifier and greater contrast range in facsimile.

(mathematics)

The expression of a quantity as the sum of a finite or infinite series of terms, as a finite or infinite product of factors, or, in general, in any extended form.

(mechanical engineering)

Increase in volume of working material with accompanying drop in pressure of a gaseous or vapor fluid, as in an internal combustion engine or steam engine cylinder.

(physics)

Process in which the volume of a constant mass of a substance increases.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

expansion

The increase in length or volume of a material, or a body, caused by temperature, moisture, or other environmental condition.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.