Thermal expansion causes the __________ of a rotating component to change, which affects alignment with other shafts.

The correct answer is that thermal expansion causes the overall length of a rotating component to change, which affects alignment with other shafts. When components are heated, they expand. This expansion changes their dimensions, particularly length, which is critical in rotating machinery where precise alignment is necessary for optimal functioning.

If the overall length of a shaft increases due to thermal expansion, it can lead to misalignment with other components in the system, such as bearings or coupling shafts. This misalignment can result in increased wear, vibration, and potentially catastrophic failure if not properly managed. Understanding thermal expansion and its effect on length is essential in engineering applications, as it enables proper design and material selection to account for temperature fluctuations in operational environments.