A thermal energy is a material that allows thermal energy to be transferred within a material or to other materials easily/quickly.
*Any material that does allow heat to flow through it easily
A thermal energy is an object that creates a barrier between the hot and the cold object that reduces or slows down the transfer of thermal energy.
*Any material that does not allow heat to flow through it easily
Go through each item and identify as a conductor or insulator
Conductor | Insulator | |
|---|---|---|
Copper | ||
Cotton T-Shirt | ||
Gold | ||
Iron | ||
Plastic | ||
Rubber | ||
Styrofoam | ||
Wood |
Hair Warm Air
Bowl Ice Cream
Ice Water
Soup Spoon
Hand Hot Sidewalk

A insulator will have a large change in temperature
A insulator will have a small change in temperature

1st Best
2nd Best
3rd Best
4th Best
5th Best
6th Best
What is a heat insulator
Some people say that heat transfer always occurs from “where it is to where it isn’t.” What does this really mean?
Some things slow down the rate of heat transfer.
*List 4 insulators
1)
2)
3)
4)
Which is better at slowing down the rate of heat transfer
Explain your reasoning for your answer above.
I believe the
Next time you bring a cold drink or an ice cream sandwich to school for lunch, what can you wrap it in to keep it cold?
Why did you choose that material?
What did the wool sock slow down?
Did the wool sock trap “coldness”?
Explain your reasoning for the above answer.
Could there be any sources of error in measuring the can temperatures?
What are those possible errors (If yes, fill this out. If you answered no leave this blank)
How could we find out if there were any errors?
Why did we include a can with no wrapping in the data set?
Why do people wear wool in the winter
and cotton in the summer
Materials that can decrease the rate of energy transfer are called insulators.
What properties might the wool sock and paper towel have in common that make them good insulators?
Based on our results, which materials can be called insulators?
Click on 3
Pick an animal that lives in a hot environment (like a desert)
How does that animal that keeps cool/from overheating
Pick an animal that lives in a cold environment (like the artic)
How does that animal that keeps warm/from freezing
Incorrect Statement
The materials in the data set kept the soda can cold.
Corrected Statement
The materials in the data set
Incorrect Statement
Wool adds warmth.
Corrected Statement
Wool
Incorrect Statement
Wool material works best because I know people who use that method.
Corrected Statement
Wool material works best because
What is the temperature (in oC) of the soda wrapped in a paper towel after one hour of insulation
* (60.4 - 32) x 0.556
*Round to the nearest tenth
Change in temperature in oF after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a paper towel
* 60.4 - 40.0
Change in temperature in oC after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a paper towel
* Answer from #9 - 4.4
What is the temperature (in oC) of the soda wrapped in a wool sock after one hour of insulation
* (59.6 - 32) x 0.556
*Round to the nearest tenth
Change in temperature in oF after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a wool sock
* 59.6 - 40.0
Change in temperature in oC after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a wool sock
* Answer from #12 - 4.4
What is the temperature (in oC) of the soda wrapped in a cotton sock after one hour of insulation
* (63.4 - 32) x 0.556
*Round to the nearest tenth
Change in temperature in oF after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a cotton sock
* 63.4 - 40.0
Change in temperature in oC after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in a cotton sock
* Answer from #15 - 4.4
What is the temperature (in oC) of the soda wrapped in plastic wrap after one hour of insulation
* (62.1 - 32) x 0.556
*Round to the nearest tenth
Change in temperature in oF after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in plastic wrap
* 62.1 - 40.0
Change in temperature in oC after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in plastic wrap
* Answer from #18 - 4.4
What is the temperature (in oC) of the soda wrapped in aluminum foil after one hour of insulation
* (61.4 - 32) x 0.556
*Round to the nearest tenth
Change in temperature in oF after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in aluminum foil
* 61.4 - 40.0
Change in temperature in oC after one hour of insulation of the soda wrapped in aluminum foil
* Answer from #21 - 4.4