We use different temperatures as a means to manipulate otherwise solid metal. When most metals are heated they expand, but what do they do when cooled?

When metal is heated, its kinetic energy increases and its atoms and molecules become more active. This activity causes the atoms to take up more space, resulting in expansion. Alternately, when metal is cooled, there is less activity and the atoms move closer together, leading to contraction.

Asked by Rachel Bortles · Last updated 5 years ago · 226.6K views · SOURCE