Thermal Insulators

This practical lesson covers:

  1. How insulation thickness effects the rate of heat transfer

Investigating the insulating properties of different materials


Aim:

To investigate how insulation thickness effects the rate of heat transfer.

Background information:

Insulating a hot object reduces the rate of heat loss to the surroundings. In this practical lesson, you will insulate a container using an insulating material and record the temperature over time. You will then vary the number of insulation layers to determine the relationship between insulation thickness and energy transfer.

Variables:

  1. Independent variable -  Number of layers of insulating material
  2. Dependent variable - Temperature change of water 
  3. Control variables - Amount of water in each beaker, starting temperature of the water in each beaker

What is the purpose of the cardboard lid in this experiment?

to measure the temperature of the water

to prevent contamination of the water

to prevent water spilling

to insulate the beaker

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Why is it important to repeat the experiment?

To ensure accuracy and consistency of results

To reduce the time required for the experiment

To test the reliability of the thermometer

To collect less data

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Why is it important that the starting temperature is the same each time the experiment is repeated?

the rate of cooling depends on temperature. For the experiment to be fair and valid, the temperature at the start should be the same each time

the thermometer is more accurate at higher temperatures

it is easier to measure temperature changes when the temperatures are high

a high temperature must be used to prevent the water freezing

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What is the purpose of the cardboard lid in the experiment?

To hold the thermometer

To keep the water warm

To cover the beaker or can

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How often should you record the temperature of the water?

Every five minutes

Every fifteen minutes

Every ten minutes

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What is the experiment trying to measure?

The rate of heat loss

The temperature of the water

The amount of insulation

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What will have the slowest rate of heat loss?

The beaker or can with the least insulation

The beaker or can with no insulation

The beaker or can with the most insulation

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