Insulation is any material that prevents an object from drastically changing its temperature. This simple experiment demonstrates how it can affect the change in the temperature of a liquid. Be sure to conduct this experiment with adult supervision, because you’ll be using hot tap water. Gather your materials. You will need:
Two identical small containers for holding water, such as plastic drinking cups, small coffee cans, or Mason jars Two thermometers (the experiment can still work if you only have one.)Different types of insulators, such as cardboard, polystyrene foam, newspaper, cotton balls, wool, and/or fiberglassMeasuring cupsLarge pot or bucket
Now it is time to set up your experiment!
Record the initial temperature of each container of water. Remember that at this point they should be the same. Place both containers (together) in a location that is at a different temperature than the temperature of your water. For example, you can put them in the refrigerator, outdoors if it is a cold day, or you can leave them on your counter top. The colder the new environment is, the more drastic the temperature change will be.After about 10 minutes, check the temperature of each thermometer. The insulated container should have a higher temperature than the uncovered one.
Now try some follow up experiments!
Mike Willard is a physics and environmental science teacher at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. He is also involved in a number of engineering and environmental education outreach programs through the school. You can contact him at Michael_J_Willard@mcpsmd.org.
