Which ordering of linear thermal expansion coefficients near room temperature, from largest to smallest, is correct?

Answer: C. Polyethylene > aluminum > tungsten

Near room temperature, the linear thermal expansion coefficient is about 100–200×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for polyethylene, about 23×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for aluminum and about 4.5×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for tungsten. Materials with stronger interatomic bonds and deeper potential wells tend to show a smaller increase in interatomic distance from vibration at a given temperature, a higher melting point and a smaller linear expansion coefficient. Tungsten, with a melting point above 3400℃, has the smallest value, and polymers, whose molecular chains are held together by weak van der Waals forces, have the largest. For this reason, parts that combine metals with polymers or ceramics develop thermal stress and warping from the difference in expansion when the temperature changes.