Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Investigating Thermal Insulators"
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| − | #Fill a can with hot [[water]] | + | #[[Measure]] 100ml of hot [[water]] (around 50°C) using a [[Measuring Cylinder|measuring cylinder]]. |
| − | #Place a [[thermometer]] in the [[water]] and wait until the [[temperature]] reaches | + | #Fill a can with hot [[water]] |
| − | #Begin a [[stopwatch]] when the [[temperature]] is | + | #Place a [[thermometer]] in the [[water]] and wait until the [[temperature]] reaches 40°C. |
| + | #Begin a [[stopwatch]] when the [[temperature]] is 40°C then [[Reading|read]] the [[temperature]] every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. | ||
#Repeat steps 1-3 with a can covered each type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulating material]]. | #Repeat steps 1-3 with a can covered each type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulating material]]. | ||
#Plot a [[graph]] with [[temperature]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[time]] on the [[x-axis]] plotting the [[results]] for each [[Thermal Insulator|insulating material]] on the same [[graph]]. | #Plot a [[graph]] with [[temperature]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[time]] on the [[x-axis]] plotting the [[results]] for each [[Thermal Insulator|insulating material]] on the same [[graph]]. | ||
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: Place a lid over the cans to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]] by [[evaporation]]. | : Place a lid over the cans to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]] by [[evaporation]]. | ||
: Complete the experiments with different [[Thermal Insulator|insulators]] simultaneously so that a change in the [[temperature]] of the [[laboratory]] does not affect the [[results]]. | : Complete the experiments with different [[Thermal Insulator|insulators]] simultaneously so that a change in the [[temperature]] of the [[laboratory]] does not affect the [[results]]. | ||
| + | : Place the [[Measuring Cylinder|measuring cylinder]] on a flat, level surface to get an [[accurate]] [[reading]] of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]]. | ||
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Revision as of 15:28, 20 March 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Investigate the effectiveness of different thermal insulators on reducing an energy transfer by heating.
Experiment
Variables
- Independent Variable: Insulating material.
- Dependent Variable: The temperature decrease of water after a given time.
- Control Variables: The volume of water used. The initial temperature of the water. The time taken between measurements. Thickness of the insulating material.
Method
 |
| A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to compare the effectiveness of different thermal insulators. |
- Measure 100ml of hot water (around 50°C) using a measuring cylinder.
- Fill a can with hot water
- Place a thermometer in the water and wait until the temperature reaches 40°C.
- Begin a stopwatch when the temperature is 40°C then read the temperature every 30 seconds for 5 minutes.
- Repeat steps 1-3 with a can covered each type of insulating material.
- Plot a graph with temperature on the y-axis and time on the x-axis plotting the results for each insulating material on the same graph.
Improving Accuracy
- Place the cans on a heatproof mat to reduce the thermal energy lost to the table surface by conduction.
- Place a lid over the cans to reduce the thermal energy lost to the air by evaporation.
- Complete the experiments with different insulators simultaneously so that a change in the temperature of the laboratory does not affect the results.
- Place the measuring cylinder on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the volume of water.
 |
| A diagram including apparatus used improve the accuracy of an experiment to compare the effectiveness of different thermal insulators. |
Improving Precision
- Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.
- Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.