The Eiffel Tower Can Grow Taller in Summer – The Science of Thermal Expansion

One of the most fascinating facts about the iconic Eiffel Tower is that its height actually changes with the seasons. During summer, the Eiffel Tower can grow up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) taller due to a physical phenomenon known as thermal expansion.

What is Thermal Expansion?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature. When materials like metal heat up, their particles move faster and spread apart, causing the object to expand.

How It Affects the Eiffel Tower

• The Eiffel Tower is made primarily of iron, a metal that expands when heated.
• During hot summer days, the metal framework absorbs heat and expands.
• This expansion causes the tower to increase in height slightly — up to 15 cm.
• In colder weather, the tower contracts back to its normal height.

Interesting Related Facts

• The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889 and stands at approximately 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall.
• Its iron structure weighs around 10,000 tons.
• The tower was originally intended as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World's Fair.

Why It Matters

This expansion doesn’t affect the safety or stability of the tower. It’s a natural property of metals and something engineers account for in their designs. It’s just another fascinating example of how science operates in everyday structures.

Conclusion

The Eiffel Tower’s seasonal height change is a reminder of the fascinating physics at work all around us. Next time you visit Paris, think about how this iron giant subtly grows and shrinks with the seasons, a living testament to the science of thermal expansion.