Inquiry | Insulation

There are many different materials, some are designed to capture heat, and some designed to capture cold. This experiment was done to test out which materials can hold heat or cold best, and to determine the insulation of different materials. An insulator is something that keeps heat from leaving.

Plastic is good for keeping things warm, and is not very good for keeping things cold at room temperature. Plastic has a good insulator for holding warm temperatures.

Metal is good for keeping things cold, especially if the metal containment is airtight. It isn't very good for keeping things warm. Metal has a good insulator for keeping certain things cold.

Glass is good for keeping things cold, but can also be used for keeping things warm. However, because glass is transparent, it allows the heat to escape therefore having a bad insulator for keeping things warm. Glass has a good insulator for keeping things cold.

Paper cups are good for keeping things cold. Paper cups have a good insulator for keeping things cold, but have a bad insulator for keeping things warm.

Polystyrene is good for keeping things warm. Polystyrene also has a good insulator for holding warm temperatures.

It is important to know the insulation of different materials so that the certain items can be stored in the correct material containment. It is also important so that people can determine whether the insulation is good or bad for that person's situation.

LI: to determine the insulative properties of materials.

LI: to to learn and practise experimental methods.