Lesson 4: Insulation Pratcical

Question 1

What is the independent variable in this practical?

Answer 1

• The layers of newspaper on the beaker.

Question 2

What are the control variables when exploring how thickness of material affects thermal conductivity? (2)

Answer 2

• Volume of water
• Initial temp of water

Question 3

What is the dependent variable in this practical?

Answer 3

• The change in temperature.

Question 4

What is an insulator?

Answer 4

• Insulator is a material that doesn’t conduct heat/ electricity well.

Question 5

What method of heat transfer if happening from the beaker to the surroundings?

Answer 5

• Conduction is occuring through the beaker.

Question 6

WHY is the temperature higher when there are more layers of newspaper?

Answer 6

• The layers reduce thermal conduction, the heat is preserved.

Question 7

What happens to the rate of heat loss as the water cools?

Answer 7

• It steadily drops because it’s starting to reach room temp.
  requiring less energy to reach equilibrium

Question 8

How would I investigate which MATERIAL is the best thermal insulator?

SAME TYPE OF METHOD FOR NUMBER OF LAYERS….

Answer 8

1. Put the small beaker inside the larger beaker.
2. Use the kettle to boil water.
3. Use a piece of cardboard as a lid for the large beaker. The cardboard must have a hole for the
   thermometer.
4. Put the thermometer through the hole in the cardboard lid so that its bulb is in the hot water.
5. Record the temperature of the water and start the stopwatch.
6. Record the temperature of the water every 3 minutes for 15 minutes.
7. Use different insulating materials

Question 9

What 2 things are we investigating from these 2 different practicals?

Answer 9

• Thermal conductivity of a material.
• Thickness of a material.