cooling of buildings

Question 1

if a building is poorly insulated what does this cause

Answer 1

poorly insulated buildings cause a lot of thermal energy to pass out of it through the walls and windows

Question 2

2 main factors that affect the cooling of a building

Answer 2

thermal conductivity

thickness of walls

Question 3

explain how thermal conductivity causes greater conduction

Answer 3

the higher the thermal conductivity of a material, the higher the rate of energy transfer by conduction across that material

Question 4

what does walls having a cavity cause

Answer 4

walls with a cavity cause greater loss of thermal energy so the buildings cool down quicker (a problem in the UK spend a lot of money heating our homes)

Question 5

why do builders pack this cavity with insulating material

Answer 5

builder packs the cavity with insulating material. This insulating material has a low thermal conductivity which reduces the overall thermal conductivity of the wall. So much less thermal energy escapes the house through the walls

Question 6

why do most houses have double glazed windows

Answer 6

double glazed windows have a low thermal conductivity so less thermal energy can pass through and the leave the house

Question 7

why do most houses have loft insulation

Answer 7

loft insulation reduces the rate a t which thermal energy passes through

Question 8

why do you build houses with thick walls

Answer 8

houses with thick walls lose less thermal energy by unwanted transfer