Can Challenge 2013 By: Manal Haroon and Rachel Anderson
Can Challenge 2013
By: Manal Haroon and Rachel Anderson
Objective
The objective of this experiment was to find the best heat insulating materials to build an insulator. The insulators job was to keep a can of hot water from having the least amount of temperature drop.
Hypothesis
Our hypothesis was that if we use cork boards, foam boards, hay string, felt,
and emergency blanket, then our insulator will maintain the heat of the
water the best.
Materials
• Cork boards• Foam boards• Hay string• Emergency blanket• Felt• Duct tape• A ruler• Hot glue• A box cutter• Glitter!! (optional)
Cork was a good material to use for our insulator. It provides good insulation because it is made out of wood, has a lot of dead air space, and is very dense so it keeps the heat
Cork boards
Foam boards
Foam boards are good heat insulators as well. Foam consists of many gas filled bubbles and air pockets. These bubbles trap the outside air and prevent it from going through. Therefore, foam board is a good heat conductor.
Hay String
Hay is a straw based material and is very dry and rough. It is a good insulator as long as it does not get wet because it traps in heat because of its aridness.
Felt
Felt is a good insulator because the fabric has many air pockets. So air can come through but cannot escape from the inside.
Emergency blankets
Emergency blankets are good insulators because provide heat well because the silvery part on the inside of the blanket reflects 90% of the heat back onto the object so it cannot escape.
Procedure
Step 1:Gather up all of your materials
(cork boards, foam boards, hay string, emergency blanket, felt, duct tape, a
ruler, hot glue, and a box cutter)
ProcedureStep 2:
With a box cutter, measure and cut out four 10 x 10 x 20 pieces of the foam
board. This will serve as the main structure.
ProcedureStep 3:
measure out a 6 x 2 square of foam to fit on the inside of the insulator.
Surround it with felt and hot glue it on and then glue a same size piece of emergency blanket to the bottom
ProcedureStep 4:
measure out a 6 x 2 piece of cork and duct tape it to the tip of the box to
make a flap like in the picture belowthen measure out a same size piece of emergency blanket and glue in to the
bottom
Procedure
Step 5:Put tape on the all of the bottom of the
insulator to cover the hole.
Procedure
Step 6:cut out four same size pieces of
corkboard (10 x 10 x 20) and glue one on each of the foam boards.
Procedure
Step 7:Tape together all four sides of the foam board together using the duct tape to
make a rectangular box shape.
Procedure
Step 7:After the glue has dried, align the
inside with felt on all of the inside walls of the insulator
Procedure
Step 8:After the glue has dried, line the
insides of the insulator with emergency blanket. Silver side facing
inward.
Procedure
Step 9:Stuff the bottom of the insulator with
hay string
Procedure
Step 10:Test out insulator and record data