Zogg master astronomy. Now have physics question...

1. If there were two 1/2 inch X 1/2 inch steel bars that were each a mile long

2. and those bars were end to end with an inch gap between the ends

3. and say that the expansion of steel would be > 1 inch per mile if heated to 500 degrees

4. and those bars were free to move in any direction as they expanded with the heat

...does anyone doubt that when heated to 500 degrees they would close the 1 inch gap and touch?

Now imagine...

1. those same steel bars with that same expansion rate

2. all as a small part of a steel washer (not something that washes steel, rather, a coin shape with a hole in the middle) that is two miles in diameter, 1/2 inch thick, with a one inch hole in the middle.

3. and imagine that those two bars in the above scenario are actually still end to end, but they have yet to be cut out of that washer -- they are still end to end -- and the inch gap in the above scenario is now the one inch hole in the middle of the washer.

4. heating the washer up to 500 degrees now...

...does anyone think that the hole in the middle of the washer will close?