Thermal Insulation

Question 1

What should we Investigate when investigating the effectiveness of different materials as thermal insulators.

Answer 1

different insulating materials
differing thickness of an insulating material
heat energy J or temperature °C lost

Question 2

Identify the independent variables from the experiment, heat transfer?

Answer 2

different Insulating materials can be used as independent variables as time could be an independent variable. (Independent variables are noted on the x axis )

Question 3

Which Material is the best insulator on a graph?

Answer 3

The curve which shows the longest time, for the water temperature to drop or (the shallowest) curve, should be the material which is the best insulator.

Question 4

Dependent Variable from an experiment look at insulators, would be?

Answer 4

Dependent Variable is temperature, this decrease over time.

Question 5

Control Variables from an experiment look at insulators?

Answer 5

Control Variables: The volume of water used. The initial temperature of the water. The time taken between measurements. Thickness of the insulating material.

Question 6

From an experiment look at insulators, what could be the problems?

Answer 6

The precision of the thermometer or analogue vs. digital
Human error using the stop watch
Meniscus when measuring volume of water (measuring cylinder)
A varying room temperature