A nice hot cup of tea

Investigate the heat-insulating properties of various materials.

This investigation requires adult supervision.

Be careful when handling very hot liquids.

PLAN

Design an "insulating chamber" - in which you can place a cup of boiling water surrounded by insulating material.

I WILL NEED

Something to act as an "insulating chamber" (e.g.: biscuit tin).

Various materials for testing.

A cup.

A supply of boiling water (e.g.: kettle).

A means of measuring temperature (e.g.; thermometer).

CLICK ICON to see a sample

"INSULATING CHAMBER"

FAIR TEST

It is important to follow exactly the same procedure for each sample you investigate.  Make sure that you are clear about the precise order in which you do things.  (You could practice.)

PREDICTION

Try to predict the "best-insulator" order of the materials you are investigating.

Explain why you think so.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

Fill the chamber with the first material sample.

Place a cup of boiling water in the chamber.

Close the chamber.

Take the temperature of the water at fixed intervals as it cools.

Repeat for different material samples.

Did you encounter any problems?

What did you do to overcome these?

COLLECT

DATA

Temperature of the water at timed intervals.

ANALYSE

DATA

Draw a graph of the fall in temperature - for each of the materials you investigate.

Compare the graphs.

What do they tell you?

PRESENT

FINDINGS

A diagram - or photograph - of the "insulating container" would be a good starting point for explaining what you did.

The graphs - plus an explanation of what they show - would be a good way of showing what you found out.

EVALUATE

INVESTIGATION

If you have carried out this investigation, click the icon to send in your results to Brainboxx and we may publish your work on the website.  It is best to e-mail the results of your investigation or you may need to send them by post.  Make sure you get permission from a teacher, parent or other adult before you get in touch.

Keeping warm