Too allow for expansion when the tracks heat up so they don't buckle.
Metal can expand slightly when heated by the sun, a small gap allows the rail to expand, that said modern rail tracks are welded and do not have these gaps.
It depends which gaps you mean! Older track was laid in discrete sections with gaps left between them to allow for expansion on hot days. There are gaps between rails at the points which are used to connect different tracks together in turn. Is this what you mean?
A simple everyday example is the gaps left between sections of train tracks to account for expansion due to heat. As the metal tracks heat up, they expand and can increase in length. The gaps prevent the tracks from buckling or warping by allowing them room to expand without causing damage.
The gaps between railway tracks, known as expansion joints, are essential for accommodating the thermal expansion and contraction of the steel rails due to temperature changes. As temperatures rise, the metal expands, and without these gaps, the rails could warp or buckle, leading to safety hazards and operational issues. The gaps also allow for slight movements caused by train loads and environmental factors, ensuring the structural integrity of the railway system.
Expanding on other previous answers:Tracks have gap because metal needs space to expand and contract. In summer the tracks tend to expand (heat leads to expansion). And in winter, tracks tend to contract.If no gaps were left than the two bars of metal will fight to expand and lead to cracks in the rail. This is the same reason why you see perfectly spaced cracks or divisions in sidewalks, bridges, parking garages, and buildings.Ultimately, tracks have gap for safe expansion of the metal.Read more: Why_do_tracks_have_gaps
It is not laying on its right side!
rabbit, tracks, snow, yard
The pitiless guy left his victim laying there, while he was cleaning off the bloody knife, leaving no trace left behind.
Some left gaps in their crops.
Mendeleev left those gaps for the elements which were not discovered at that time. He named those elements like eka-aluminium,eka -silicon etc.
Left hand tracks such as Brazil give a complete different G-Force to the driver
The tracks in "Lord of the Flies" were likely left by a pig, as the boys on the island hunt pigs for their survival.