A water filled jar insulated with different insulation materials will have its water contents cool down at different rates because of the different insulating properties of the insulation materials. My prediction is that rock wool will insulate best because it was specifically created by humans to insulate well.

Heat transfer 

represents the flow of heat (thermal energy) due to temperature differences. There are three methods of heat transfer:

• Conduction
  Heat flows through direct contact between molecules. In solids, this is the main way heat is transferred. Good conductors (like metals) transfer heat quickly, while insulators slow it down.

 

• Convection
  Heat is carried away by moving fluids (liquids or gases). Insulating materials can trap still air, reducing the movement that causes heat loss. 

 

• Radiation
  Heat is transferred in the form of infrared rays. Some insulators are designed to reflect radiant heat, further preventing energy loss.

 

• Temperature
  • Temperature is a physical quantity that quantitatively expresses hotness or coldness of something.
  • Temperature is measured using a thermometer. It reflects the average energy (motion) of a substance’s vibrating and colliding atoms.

 

• Temperature Scales

There are 3 commonly used temperature scales:

• • Celsius (^OC)

By: Swedish Astronomer Anders Celsius

SI Unit: Yes (derived unit)

• • Fahrenheit (^OF)

By: Polish Physicist Daniel Fahrenheit

SI Unit: No

• • Kelvin (K)

By: British scientist Lord Kelvin

SI Unit: Yes (base unit)

 

• Heat
  Heat is energy in transfer as a result of a difference in temperature. Heat flows from hot to cold.

 

• Calorimetry

Calorimetry is the measurement of quantity of energy transferred as heat. In SI the measurement of heat is the Joule (J). It is a derived unit named to honor English physicist James Joule who worked with Lord Kelvin to help develop an absolute temperature scale.

 

• Thermal insulation

Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat transfer between objects. Thermal conductivity is a measure of ability to conduct heat.  Heat transfer is slower in materials with higher thermal resistance and slower in materials with low thermal conductivity.  The building industry uses R-value for identifying thermal resistance of materials.

 

• Thermal resistance scales
  • R-Value

SI Unit: No

• • RSI Value

SI Unit: Yes (Derived)

• Effective R- value

Effective R-value refers to an estimate of an insulation material’s overall thermal resistance as it performs in the real-world conditions. It is composed of the following:

• • Installation Quality

  • Ability for air movement (Convection)

  • Combination of materials
  • Moisture Content

 

• Controlled variables

250ml small glass jar

60°C Starting water temperature

22.5°C Same room temperature

22.5°C Starting insulation temperature

22.5°C Starting probe temperature

22.5°C Starting jar temperature 

22.5°C Starting external container temperature

Thickness of insulation

 

• Independent variable

Insulation Material

 

• Dependant variable

Water temperature

1. Prepare a clean 250ml glass jar with predrilled hole in lid for thermometer
2. Fill plastic container with insulation while leaving room for the jar
3. Pour 60 ml of chilled tap water into the jar 
4. Pour 190 ml of boiling water into the jar
5. Close jar
6. Place closed jar into insulated plastic container 
7. Place insulation on top of glass jar
8. Close + seal plastic container 
9. Insert thermometer thru predrilled holes in jar and plastic container
10. Record internal jar temperature 
11. Record internal jar temperature every two mins
12. Stop recording after 60 min
13. Repeat procedure for remaining insulating materials.

The water temperature dropped over average because it took time to warm up the insulation material in the plastic contaner. 

Materials with lot's of small and intercity air pockets insulated the best because air is a bad conducter.

The air alone is not a good insulator.

• Materials with lots of fiber and intricate air -pockets had lower temperature loss per minute. This included wool, sheep’s wool and polyester.
• Materials with large air pockets or no air pockets had higher temperature loss per minute.  This included air, cardboard and aluminum.
• It was surprising that bubble wrap with lots of air pockets and the cotton fabric performed poorly.
• The rate of temperature loss was observed to be linear after the initial warm up of the insulation material

Conclusions and Takeaways

• The experiment confirmed principles of heat transfer in everyday materials: such as cardboard.
• Understanding how materials transfer heat can lead to smart design choices when constructing buildings, appliances and designing clothing
• Good Insulation reduces energy use lowers utility bills and decreases our environmental footprint.
• Science is not just about finding answers but also about questioning and exploring

Real World Importance

• Energy Efficiency:

Saving Energy, Saving Money

• • Better insulation means less energy needed for heating and cooling in homes and buildings. This reduces costs and contributes to environmental sustainability.

 

• Environmental Benefits:

A Cooler Planet

• • Reducing heating and air conditioning can lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy consumption.

• Incorrect water volume inaccurate measurement of 60 ml cold and 190 ml boiling will affect the outcome.
• The material density and placement within the insulation materials may lead to variations in results.
• Human error while reading the thermometer: Small percentage mistakes in recording temperatures can mislead to faulty conclusions.
• Irregular timing If temperature measurements are not taken exactly every 2 minutes, variations in data may occur.

 

 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Energy.gov

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE): Aceee.org

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA.gov

International Energy Agency (IEA): IEA.org

https://www.viessmann.ca

What is heat transfer (simscale):https://www.simscale.com

 

"Heat Transfer" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org

"Temperature" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org

"Physical quantity" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org

"Measurement" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org

"Kinetic energy" - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ​​https://www.britannica.com

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB.org

Top 5 Types of Wall Insulation and Which is Right for You

https://blog.callcustombuilt.com

The Science of Conduction: A Deep Dive into Heat Transfer

https://www.paradigmcooling.co.za

 

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for helping me when I could not understand a consept and keep me going when I felt like Quitting. I also have to give a thanks to MR. Stephan De Freitas for running the sience fair this year.