Required Practical: Investigating Insulation Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
What are the steps of the required practical to compare materials as thermal insulators?
e.g. comparing newspaper, bubble wrap and felt- Wrap identical beakers in the different materials (same thickness) and add the same volume of hot water at the same starting temperature
- Put a lid on and record the water temperature every minute for a set time
- The material with the smallest temperature drop is the best insulator
In the insulation practical comparing materials, what is the independent variable?
The type of insulating material.
Give three variables that must be controlled in the insulation practical.
Volume (mass) of water, starting temperature of the water, and the thickness of the material (also identical beakers and same time).
In the insulation practical, why is a lid placed on the beaker?
To reduce energy transfer from the water surface by evaporation and convection.
In the insulation practical, how do you tell which material is the best insulator?
It gives the smallest decrease in water temperature in the same time.
Apart from the type of material, which factor affecting insulation can be investigated in this practical?
The thickness of the material (e.g. the number of layers).