Investigating the effect of how size affects heat loss from an object (body)
Aim:
To investigate the effect of how different sizes affect heat loss from an object and then relating it to the human body.
Research Question:
Will increasing the size of a beaker increase the amount of heat lost?
Hypothesis:
I predict that the smallest beaker will lose heat the most; hence having the highest rate of heat loss.
I think this because small animals generally lose heat much faster than large animals. “Large animals cool of more slowly” (Endothermy 2008). This is due to their Surface Area: Volume ratio. Larger animals have a larger surface area and volume; hence they lose heat slower than small animals that have a smaller surface area and volume yet the ratios will remain the same. For this reason, I believe that the smallest beaker will lose heat the fastest.
Variable:
Control:
Volume of water
Starting temperature of water
Room temperature
Dependent:
The amount of heat lost- the difference in the temperature of water between the starting and end of the experiment over a specific time period.
Independent:
The size of the beaker in terms of width- this shows the relation between an object and humans.
List of Materials:
- 2 graduated 400ml beaker
- 1 graduated 200ml beaker
- 1 graduated 125ml beaker
- 1500ml of water
- 3 thermometers
- 1 stopwatch
- Measuring Cylinder
- Calculator
- Bunsen Burner
- Tripod
- Wire Gauze
- 2 pairs of tongs
Procedure
- Take three beakers, one 400ml, one 200ml and one 125ml beaker.
- Place the Bunsen Burner under a tripod which has a wire gauze on top of it and light the Bunsen Burner.
- Fill the other 400ml beaker with 300ml of water and place it upon the wire gauze.
- Let the water heat up until it begins to bubble.
- Record the room temperature with a thermometer.
- Using the tongs, take the beaker off the wire gauze and carefully pour water in the measuring cylinder. Fill the measuring cylinder up to 100ml.
- Pour this into the 125ml beaker. Then measure another 100ml of hot water and pour it into the 200ml beaker. Measure 100ml of water again and pour that into the 400ml beaker.
- Take all three thermometers and place one in each beaker with water.
- Let the water in each beaker level out to the same value. If necessary, pour a little water out of the water and add some cooler water. This will decrease the temperature of the water if needed.
- When the temperature of water is the same in all the beakers, start the stopwatch. Note down this temperature.
- At two minute intervals, record the temperature of each beaker and stop after ten minutes.
- Pour out the water and repeat all the steps above another four times.
- Take an average of the readings at the end.
