Insulating Materials

Insulating Materials

Introduction

In this investigation I aim to find out which materials are the best

insulators. This practical investigation involves investigating what

kinds of materials are best at keeping water in a copper beaker warm.

A material that prevents this heat loss is called an insulator.

Insulators have to prevent three types of heat loss:

· Conduction

· Convection

· Radiation

Conduction - This is where heat energy passes through the walls of the

copper beaker by making the particles of the beaker vibrate which

makes the particles next to them vibrate causing the heat to pass

through the walls of the beaker to the surroundings. Materials that

are good thermal conductors tend to be good electrical conductors;

metals such as gold, silver and copper have high thermal

conductivity's and will conduct heat well. Materials such as glass are

poor heat conductors.

Convection - This is where the cooler water particles sink down to the

bottom and the warmer water particles float up to the top. Convection

may affect my experiment if I do no seal the copper beakers with a

lid. This is because the warm water will float up to the top and the

heat energy will escape through the top of the beaker.

Radiation - This is when the warm water particles vibrate the water

particles next to them. This will give them more energy and will make

the water around them warmer. The water particles at the top of the

copper beaker will radiate the heat energy into the surrounding air.

For heat to radiate it does not need to be in contact with matter.

Planning

In this investigation I will be looking at conduction of heat through

a copper beaker. This is because copper is one of the most effective

thermal conductors. Five results will be produced for each of six

materials:

· Polystyrene

· Bubble wrap

· Newspaper

· Carpet

· Tin foil

· Blanket