If the coefficient of thermal expansion of an alloy is 14times 10^-6C and that of the ceramic is 10times 10^-6C, when the ceramic is fired onto the alloy and cooled to room temperature, the ceramic will be in which of the following? a. There will be no net compression or tension in the ceramic b. Tension c. Cannot tell from the information given d. Compression

The correct answer is d. Compression.<br /><br />Explanation:<br />When the ceramic is fired onto the alloy and cooled to room temperature, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic will cause it to expand more than the alloy due to the difference in their coefficients of thermal expansion. Since the coefficient of thermal expansion of the alloy is higher than that of the ceramic, the alloy will expand less than the ceramic when they are both cooled to room temperature. This will result in the ceramic being compressed relative to the alloy, causing compression in the ceramic.