Thermal expansion coefficient (source code)

= Thermal expansion coefficient
{title2=$\alpha=-\rho^{-1}(\partial\rho/\partial T)_p$}

For a fluid at fixed <pressure>, the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient obeys $\rho(T_0+\theta)\simeq\rho(T_0)(1-\alpha\theta)$. Under the <Boussinesq approximation> it determines the <buoyancy> proportional to $g\alpha\theta$, while <mass density> is otherwise held constant.