Question

Explain why rails have gaps at specific distance.

Answer 1

These gaps which are of the order of a few millimeters, are provided to allow room for the rails to expand the rise in temperature due to the atmospheric temperature as well as the friction caused by running of train. All materials expand when heated and contract when cooled.

So that there is enough margin for the tracks to expand and contract due to the temperature changes. If that gap is not left then the tracks might have enormous stress in them while expanding due to heat. ... Thermal expansion of long continuous sections of rail tracks is the driving force for rail buckling.

Answer 2

To avoid expansion of rails in summers, which can lead to distortion in the shape of the rails and might cause derailment