Thermal Insulation
Investigate how different materials and thicknesses affect thermal insulation and cooling rates.
Check your understanding with these quick common questions. Use the drop down boxes to see the correct answers.
Thermal insulation
Insulation reduces heat loss. Thermal conductivity is a phrase used to describe how well heat moves through a material. Good insulations have very high thermal conductivity.
Independent variable: Type or thickness of insulator
Dependent variable: Rate of cooling (°C per minute)
Control variables: Same beaker type, same starting temperature, same volume of water
Thermometer
Ketal for hot water
Lid
Accuracy can be improved by: Using lids and digital thermometers to reduce heat loss and reading errors.
Validity can be improved by: Keeping starting temperature, volume, and beaker type the same.
Describe: More/Better insulation or greater thickness → slower cooling.
Explain: Insulators reduce energy transfer by conduction, convection or radiation, so the water loses heat more slowly. Insulators have lower thermal conductivity.
A formula is not needed for this practical
Pour equal volumes of hot water into identical beakers.
Wrap each beaker with a different insulating material (or vary thickness).
Cover each with a card lid and place a thermometer in the water.
Record the starting temperature and then every minute for 10 minutes.
Plot temperature vs time for each insulator.
Repeat 3 times for each temperature and calculate a mean