Bizzare Facts

The **Eiffel Tower** is a massive lattice of puddled iron, constructed from over 18,000 individual metal parts joined together by 2.5 million rivets. Like all metals, iron is subject to the laws of physics, specifically the phenomenon known as **thermal expansion**. When heated, the kinetic energy of the metal's atoms increases, causing them to vibrate more vigorously and take up more space.

During the hot Parisian summer, when the sun beats down relentlessly on the iconic structure, the iron absorbs enormous amounts of heat. This thermal energy causes the entire tower to expand. The growth is not subtle—the tower can grow by up to **15 centimeters (nearly 6 inches)** in height. Conversely, during the cold winter months, the structure contracts and shrinks back down.

The effect is so pronounced that the sun's position also causes the tower to tilt slightly away from the heat source, as one side of the tower expands more than the shaded side. This means that throughout the day, the Eiffel Tower is constantly moving, leaning, and breathing like a living organism, responding dynamically to the weather and the angle of the sun.