RP 02 - Thermal Insulation Flashcards
(10 cards)
Outline the basic steps of the practical.
- Wrap glass beakers with different insulating
materials - Boil water in a kettle and pour into the beakers
- Record the initial temperature of the water in
each beaker - Record how the temperature changes every few
minutes
What piece of apparatus is used to measure
temperature?
A thermometer.
Give examples of materials with insulation properties
that can be tested using this method.
● Newspaper
● Corrugated cardboard
● Bubble wrap
● Polystyrene
● Cotton wool
● Tin foil
How can you secure the materials once
wrapped around the beaker?
Using rubber bands.
Why do you leave one beaker with no insulation
wrapped around it?
To act as a control beaker. It can be used
to compare the temperature drop of the
water with and without insulation.
As well as wrapping the beaker with the insulation,
what else should you do to insulate it?
Cut out a circle for the lid of the beaker
to reduce heat loss from the top. The lid
should have a small hole for the
thermometer to fit into.
What readings do you take and how frequently?
You record the temperature of the water
in fixed intervals of around 3 minutes.
How can you compare the effectiveness of the
different insulators?
Compare the temperature change that has occured over a fixed interval of time. The smaller the temperature change, the more effective the insulator is.
As well as the effectiveness of different types of
insulators, what else can you test using this method?
The effectiveness of different
thicknesses of the same insulator.
What safety precautions should be taken when
carrying out this experiment?
● Avoid touching the beaker after heating
● Place on a heatproof mat when hot
● Take care when pouring boiling water to avoid
scolding
● If a beaker cracks, avoid using it and inform a
technician
