Apparatus
4 x copper cans
4 x temperature probes
1 x interface
1 x computer
2 x 250ml measuring cylinders
4 x cardboard lids
Sellotape
Insulators,
Bubble wrap
Wool
Cotton wool
Cardboard
Method
I will turn on the computer and open ‘insight’ then ‘sensing’. Then I will plug in the 4 temperature probes and change the amount of sensors for it to record by clicking on ‘Set-up’, ‘Sensors then select sensors 1, 2, 3 and 4 and click ‘OK’.
Now I will wrap the cans with one layer of insulator holding it in place with a piece of tape. One can is to be left un-insulated.
I will now fill the measuring cylinders with 200mls of boiling water and pour 100mls into 4 of the cans, place on the lids and insert the temperature probes through the holes in the lids. Before I start the recording I will wait 10 seconds for the temperatures to even out then I will click on the ‘start’ button and write down the readings every minute for 10 minutes. When I have finished I will change the amount of sensors to 2, fill a measuring cylinder with 200mls of boiling water and pour 100mls into each can, place on lids, insert probes, click on ‘start’ and take readings every minute for 10 minutes.
This all needs to be repeated to get 2 sets of results.
Results
First set of results (in oC)
Second set of results (in oC)
Average results (in oC)↑
Average temperature change (in oC)↓
Graphs
Analysis
I think that the experiment went quite well although we had to start again because of the sensors were not working properly. If I did this experiment again I would change a few things; I would try to start all of the temperatures at the same, I would wrap the cans more efficiently and tape on the lids also I would try and record more accurately i.e. on the right time, to one decimal place.
Conclusion
I have come to the conclusion that the wool was the best insulator and a can with nothing insulating it does not insulate very well. My prediction that bubble wrap would be the best insulator was incorrect as it is in the middle of the best and worst insulators.
