PURPOSE
The purpose of this
experiment was to determine the effect of insulator type on the retention of
heat.
I became interested in this idea when I watched a movie about an architect. I wanted to learn more about houses and buildings ever since. This project idea seemed like a good one because I would get to build a model.
The information gained from this experiment could help people choose a more effective insulator. This could save them money on heating bills and help them stay warmer in winter. It could also help society by reducing energy use for heating.
My hypothesis was that
fiberglass batts would insulate the best.
I based my hypothesis on a similar science project done in 2003 by Colin Anyan. In his conclusion, he said, “Fiberglass batts are the best insulation.”
I based my hypothesis on a similar science project done in 2003 by Colin Anyan. In his conclusion, he said, “Fiberglass batts are the best insulation.”
The constants in this study were:
- The starting temperature of the water
- The amount of water
- The type of water (tap)
- The thermometer
- The beaker to hold the water
- The box used as a model room.
- Room temperature the box was placed in while the water
was cooling.
The manipulated variable
was the type of insulation.
The responding variable was the change in temperature of the water.
To measure the responding variable I used a computerized lab thermometer calibrated in degrees Celsius.
QUANTITY
|
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
|
1
|
Beaker
|
6
|
10”by10” 5/8 inch thick
Fiberglass Insulation
|
6
|
10”by10” 5/8 inch thick
Styrofoam Insulation
|
6
|
10”by10” 3.5 inch thick
Fiberglass Insulation
|
1
|
Laptop
|
400ml
|
Tap Water
|
6
|
1 by 1ft Plywood boards
|
1 bottle
|
Wood glue
|
1
|
Table Saw
|
5
|
6”by6” 1/4 inch wire mesh
|
24”
|
Weather striping
|
1
|
Nip (strong scissors)
|
PROCEDURES
1. Build a model room
a. Saw six 12”by12” plywood boards
b. Glue five of the boards together in box shape without top
c. Put weather striping on top of box
2. Build wire mesh box
a. Cut mesh in 5 6” by 6” sheets with metal nips
b. Arrange sheets in box shape without top
c. Bend wire around ends of sheets to hold them together as a box
d. Cut four 4 inch long metal strips as legs.
e. Glue legs to corners of wire box
3. Cut Styrofoam insulation into six 10” by 10” boards
4. Cut Fiberglass insulation into six 10” by 10” sheets and 5/8 inch thick
5. Put styrofoam insulation into the inside of model room with one piece as top
6. Fill the beaker with 400ml of 50 degrees Celsius tap water
7. Put the beaker into the model room
8. Put the probe in the beaker
9. Put the sixth board on top of the box as lid
10. Set laptop running “Logger Pro 3.0” to Record the temperature of the water every 5 minutes for 2 hours
11. Remove Styrofoam insulation and replace with 5/8inch Fiberglass insulation
12. Repeat steps 6-10
13. Remove 5/8inch Fiberglass insulation
14. Put in 3.5 inch thick Fiberglass insulation
15. Repeat steps 6-10
The original purpose of
this experiment was to determine the effect of insulator type on the retention
of heat.
The results of the experiment were the 3.5 inch thick Fiberglass insulated the best and the 5/8 inch thick Fiberglass insulated the second best. The 5/8 inch thick Styrofoam insulated the third best.
My
hypothesis was that fiberglass batts would insulate the best
The
results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted
Because
of the results of this experiment, I wonder if starting with ice-cold water and
allowing it to heat up inside the test box would have different results for the
insulators.
If I were to conduct this project again I would use more insulators and I would make sure to have the temperature of the water start out boiling. Also I would run each test twice as long. Most importantly I would have made sure the thickness of all the insulation were exactly the same.
Researched
by --- Adam J
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