Compare the insulating ability of different types of materials or number of layers
Independent variable?
Type of material or number of layers
Dependent variable?
Temperature reached after a set time
Controlled variables?
Type of insulation if changing number of layers, initial water temp, time, ambient temperature, same location/environment
Step 1:
Wrap a beaker or can of hot water in increasing layers or different types of insulation with optional lid
Step 2:
Pour freshly boiled water from a kettle into the beaker and wait until temperature reaches chosen starting temp (eg 80 degrees)
Step 3:
Start stopclock and record temperature after chosen temp (5 mins) or record temp every 20 seconds
Step 4:
plot graph of against number of layers or type of material against temperature, plot cooling against time. Data for type of insulation could also be a bar chart
