Did you know the Eiffel Tower grows taller every summer?

No, it’s not magic – it’s science! Let’s uncover the secret behind this amazing phenomenon that surprises even adults.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, or La Tour Eiffel, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, standing tall in the heart of Paris, France. Build in 1889 by engineer Gustave Eiffel, this iron masterpiece attracts millions of visitors every year. But beyond its beauty and charm, the tower hides a surprising scientific secret – it can actually grow taller in the summer.

The Hidden Secrets of The growing Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a static monument – it actually “grows” in height during the summer thanks to a fascinating principle of physics known as thermal expansion. As the summer sun warms the iron structure, the metal’s atoms vibrate and push apart, making the entire tower expand by up to 15 cm (about 6 inches) on the hottest days. This effect is most noticeable on the side that faces the sun, causing the tower to lean slightly and shift the top in a tiny circular arc that can measure roughly 15 cm across.

The Change In Height

To put it into a perspective: the tower normally stands at around 980 feet, but on scorching summer days in Paris – when temperatures can reach up to 40° (104 °F) – it can swell by nearly 5.9 feet. And get this: when winter arrives, the iron cool down and shrinks, the atoms draw closer, and the tower dwells back to its usual size – shrinking by a few millimeters.

The Brilliant Design

What’s even more brilliant is that Gustave Eiffel’s engineers actually designed the tower to handle these subtle shifts. Its iron lattice is flexible enough to expand, contract, lean, and sway (with wind, it can wobble up to 9 cm!) without any damage. It’s a beautiful reminder that even something so seemingly solid and permanent is actually alive with the rhythms of nature – bending, breathing, stretching, and adapting right along with the seasons.

Resources

• ChatGPT

• Gemini

• Websites

1. Medium
2. Science ABC
3. Tour Eiffel Official Website