In this investigation, I aim to find out the best method of insulation for the heat transfer from a hot water tank. In my experiments, I shall use four different types of materials to find the best insulator.

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Insulation

Aim:

In this investigation, I aim to find out the best method of insulation for the heat transfer from a hot water tank. In my experiments, I shall use four different types of materials to find the best insulator. These include bubblewrap, paper, cardboard and cloth.

Introduction:

Heat energy transfers occur because of difference of temperature in two different areas. Heat energy is transferred from an area of high energy or high temperature to an area of low energy or low temperature. This transfer happens by the moving or vibrating particles. These particles move by three processes:

  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation

Conduction is the transfer of energy through an object or substance without the substance actually moving or changing position itself. This type of heat transfer occurs mainly in solids. Conduction takes place in materials like metals. The metals have free electrons that transfer energy by vibrating and they pass their energy to neighbouring electrons.

Conduction in non-metals is quite slow so they are known as insulators instead. Insulators are used to reduce the heat transfer through conduction. They trap air inside themselves and air is a poor conductor of heat. Common insulators are bubblewrap and plastics.

Another way of heat, transfer is convection. Convection occurs when the more energetic particles move from areas where the temperature is higher to where it is lower taking the energy they have with them. However only transfers heat energy through liquids and gases. What happens is that when a liquid or a gas is heated its density changes. Denser particles rise up whereas the colder less dense particles sink to the bottom.

Below is an example of convection taking place in a room by heat given off from a radiator.

Here the radiator heats the cold air. The particles become hotter and increase in density. They start to rise and rise to the top of the room. Eventually these particles start to cool and decrease in density and sink to the bottom of the room. They follow the cycle again and this continuous flow of energy is called convection current.

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The final type of heat transfer that I shall explain about is Radiation. Radiation is very different from the other two types of heat transfers. In radiation, no particles are involved and its transfers its heat energy by waves. These waves travel through a vacuum, this is the only way that the sun’s heat can reach us. Every object emits and absorbs energy in the form of radiation. Hot objects emit more heat radiation than colder objects. Whereas colder objects absorb more heat radiation than hotter objects. Radiation, unlike conduction and convection, depends strongly on surface colour and texture. ...

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