Physical Science

Insulator

(Click here to view activities and diagrams in PDF format)

Standard Statement:
3.4.7 B -  Explain energy sources and transfers and their relationship to heat and temperature.

Content Objective:
Students will:

Know that the flow of energy into or out of an object or system can be detected.

Process Objective:
Students will:

Measure the flow of energy into or out of an object or system.

Assessment Strategies:

Evaluation of lab report (see Attachment 1).

Procedures:

1.   Define insulation.

2.   Identify four types of insulation material.

3.   Place covered empty soup cans into large coffee cans.

4.   Add insulation materials to each large can packed tightly around the soup can. Make sure you save one can without insulation for your control. (Teacher will do this activity.)

5.   Students will predict and record the best insulation.

6.   Add hot water simultaneously to each soup can.  Note:  Teacher may use cold water instead of hot water.  Make sure it is free of ice though.  Students measure the temperature which will rise through time.

7.   Each group will record the initial temperature.

8.   At two-minute intervals, each group will record the temperature of the water and record this information on the lab report. Do this five times.

9.   Using an overhead projector or a chalkboard replica of the data table from the lab report, the teacher and students will record each group's data.

10. Students will interpret data to determine the best insulator.

11. Students will graph group data spreadsheet.

12. Compare results with student predictions.

13. Classify the insulators.

Related Websites:

http://chemfinder.camsoft.com

Suggested Level:
Intermediate/Middle Level

Standard Category:
3.4 – Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics

Materials:
Five containers to hold water

Five large (3lb) coffee cans

Five soup cans (same size)

Four types of insulation materials

(e.g., soil, styrofoam, plastic, newspaper)

Five thermometers (C°or F°)

Lab report (one per student)

Instructional Strategies:
Cooperative learning

Discovery activity

Whole-class discussion

Related Concepts:
Solar energy to produce heat

Natural insulation in animal dwellings

Body fat and its function as an insulator

 

 

3.4.7.B. Insulators Attachment I

Lab Report

Insulation materials

Initial temperature

First 2 minutes

Second 2 minutes

Third 2 minutes

Fourth 2 minutes

Fifth 2 minutes

Total temp. change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.   Predict which will be the best insulator: ____________________________________________

2.   Complete table.

3.   According to data collected, which is the best indicator? ______________________________

4.    Was your prediction correct? _____________________