Question

lab 1
insulator and conductor lab
a student decided to investigate how different materials affected thermal energy transfer. the students set up 3 different containers that were made of metal, styrofoam, and ceramic (coffee mug). the student put 90 degree celsius water in each container and let the containers sit for 15 minutes. each container had a lid. below is the data recorded.

3 after looking over the data, which material was the most effective insulator that minimized the greatest amount of thermal energy transferred?
(a)
ceramic (coffee mug)
styrofoam
metal
(b) according to the data, which material allowed the most thermal energy to escape and pass through the material during the 15 minutes?
styrofoam
ceramic (coffee mug)
metal

Explanation:

• For part (a): An insulator minimizes thermal energy transfer. The lower the temperature loss, the better the insulator. Styrofoam has the lowest temperature loss (21 degrees Celsius) among the three materials.
• For part (b): A material that allows the most thermal energy to escape will have the highest temperature loss. Metal has the highest temperature loss (32 degrees Celsius) among the three materials.

Answer:

(a) B. Styrofoam
(b) C. Metal