can challenge 2013

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