Jawaban: The small gaps, or "thermal expansion gaps," are present in railway tracks to allow for the expansion and contraction of the tracks due to temperature changes. As the temperature increases, the tracks expand, and the gaps allow for this expansion without causing damage to the tracks or the train.

Penjelasan:

The railway tracks are made of steel which is an excellent conductor of heat, so they expand when the temperature increases and contract when the temperature decreases. The amount of expansion and contraction is very small but it can cause problems if the tracks are not designed to accommodate it. The small gaps or thermal expansion gaps are included in the tracks to allow the tracks to expand and contract without buckling or warping. This helps to maintain the integrity of the tracks and the safety of trains that run on them. The gaps also help to prevent damage to the tracks, such as cracking or bending, which can lead to costly repairs and disruptions in train service.

Gap kecil yang ditunjukkan pada diagram 6.5 adalah untuk mengakomodasi perluasan dan pengecilan rel kereta api karena perubahan suhu. Saat suhu meningkat, rel akan melebar, dan gap ini memungkinkan perluasan tanpa merusak rel atau kereta.