To discover the effect of insulation by using a cavity wall

Method

I will set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above:

I will boil some water using the kettle. I will then pour the hot water into a beaker and then into the boiling tube. The boiling tube will be rapped in one of the selected materials, supported by elastic bands. I shall put a large cardboard and the thermometer at the top of the boiling tube. The cardboard will secure the thermometer and seal the boiling tube. I will record the temperature of the water over a 15 minute period. I will take the temperature every 30 seconds allowing me to achieve an accurate result.

Fair testing

Throughout conducting my investigation I will take a number of precautions to ensure my experiments fair.

* The water starts at the same temperature.

This will enable me to assess the cooling rate accurately.

* The same amount of water is used.

Different amounts of water will largely affect the cooling rate making the experiment inaccurate.

* The amount of material is covered around the beaker.

Although the material might be different in thickness etc. it is important that they cover the required area.

* I shall carry the two experiments at the same time.

This allows me to save time and a fair result.

Results in Celsius

Every 30 seconds

Insulated oC

Non- Insulated oC

75

75

2

74

73

3

73

72

4

72

71

5

71

70

6

71

69

7

70

69

8

70

68

9

70

66

0

69

66

1

69

65

2

68

64

3

68

64

4

68

63

5

67

63

6

66

62

7

65

61

8

65

61

9

64

60

20

64

60

21

64

59

22

63

59

23

63

58

24

62

58

25

62

58

26

61

57

27

60

56

28

60

56

29

59

55

30

59

54

Evaluating results

My results clearly showed how the two factors I predicted affected the materials efficiency. It also showed to what extent the factors effected the efficiency of the insulator. I concluded that the insulated beaker would decrease slower than the non-insulated. I think my results achieved my aim and matched my prediction.

Graph & Analysis

The graph shows the rate the water temperature decreases when insulated by the different methods of materials. The results are very close together but they clearly show that the insulated is a slower compound. It also shows obviously that the test tube with no insulation decreased fastest.

The table on the previous page shows the difference between the start temperature and the end temperature for each method (Insulated & Non-Insulated). By looking at the graph it is clear that the water with no insulation decreased in temperature more rapidly than the boiling tubes with material insulation. I expected this.

My results state clearly that the most effected on each was the Insulated. This does match my prediction entirely because I predicted that a the insulted beaker would decrease but not as much as the non-insulated. I also mentioned the reason for which it happened. The Insulation reduces the rate of heating and controls the cooling.

Evaluation

Evaluating the Investigation;

The investigation was fair and the experiments I conducted achieved the required results. The experiments were accurate and produced correct answers with no anomalous results. If I conducted the experiment again I would use a wider variety of results & materials with a wider range of readings. I would want to do this because then I could investigate further into how the insulation of the material affects my results. I would use the same material or perhaps more materials but in different format for each test. I would also use the same material but in different textures e.g. woven pleated etc. This would enable a more accurate evaluation of results.

The method I chose to use was successful and worked well within the investigation, it was stable and fair. I would not change the method if I repeated the investigation.

Overall I think my investigation was successful as it achieved the required results fairly and accurately, answering the effects of the comparison with the insulated and non-insulted.

Science Investigation

Rav Kohli 10L