The Effect of Different Types of Insulation on Heat Retention

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Arsalna Shakoor

The Effect of Different Types of Insulation on Heat Retention

Aim

I am going to investigate the effect of different types of material on heat retention. “Which of the four materials, cotton, foam, aluminium foil and bubble wrap, is the best insulator?”

Hypothesis

The four materials tested in this experiment are cotton, foam, aluminium foil, and bubble wrap. Materials that are good insulators will absorb heat slowly and therefore the water inside the cup will stay warm for a longer period of time. Materials vary in their heat conductivity and in their insulation capacity. Foam is 95 percent air so the air molecules slow down the heat transfer from the liquid, so it stays warmer longer than cotton insulation. This leads me to predict that foam would be the best insulator, as it would trap the heat more, which will cause deficient heat lost.

Identification of Variables

There are three variables I will take in consideration whilst carrying out my investigation. The independent variable will be the types of materials used for insulation, which will be cotton, newspaper, aluminium foil, and black insulator. My control variables would be the temperature of the water, 80° Celsius. The dependent variable in my investigation will be the amount of heat loss.

Scientific Theory

The different types of energy transfers that will be taking place during this experiment will be conduction, convection, insulation, and radiation. Heat is transferred from one material to another through conduction. That happens when the water comes into contact with the cup itself. Materials that are good at conducting heat absorb the heat of the liquid quickly, and therefore, the liquid cools down. This happens when the heat energy is transferred from the water to the cup and then from the cup to the material around it. If the material is a good conductor, the heat absorbed would be faster so the heat loss from the water itself would increase as well. Insulation reduces heat loss and the rate of cooling. Absorption of heat is slower in materials that are good insulators so the water inside the cup stays warm for a longer period of time. Insulation is the restriction of heat. Insulation is also the material used to cause these restrictions. Insulation is used in houses to keep the heat inside during the winter and outside during hot times. Insulation is also used in blankets, jackets, and drink bottles. Insulation does not create heat; it prevents heat from flowing. Therefore, if you placed a blanket over something cold, it will be cold underneath the blanket. Materials differ in heat conductivity and so also vary in their insulation capacity. When the water will be heated, it will move upwards as a result of the heat. Warm air will rise and cool air will fall. So convection would be taking place. Then this thermal energy will transfer to the material around the hot water bottle as thermal energy flows from warmer

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objects to cooler objects. This will cause the material around the water bottle to either absorb energy or to reflect it. Throughout all of these processes radiation would be taking place as the heat would be transferred as energy by particles which will then depending upon the material will either be absorbed or reflected.

Equipment

1         piece of cotton

1         piece of foam

1         sheet of aluminium foil

1         bubble wrap

4 ...

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