Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Investigating Thermal Insulators"
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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]] | + | : Place the [[Measuring Cylinder|measuring cylinder]] on a flat, level surface and read it from [[Eye Level|eye level]] to get an [[accurate]] reading of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]]. |
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| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] including [[apparatus]] used improve the [[accuracy]] of an [[experiment]] to compare the effectiveness of different [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulators]]. | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] including [[apparatus]] used improve the [[accuracy]] of an [[experiment]] to compare the effectiveness of different [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulators]]. | ||
|} | |} | ||
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====Improving [[Precision]]==== | ====Improving [[Precision]]==== | ||
: Use a [[thermometer]] with a higher [[resolution]]. | : Use a [[thermometer]] with a higher [[resolution]]. | ||
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]]. | : Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:36, 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 and read it from eye level 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.