2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Materials
• Cork boards
• Foam boards
• Hay string
• Emergency blanket
• Felt
• Duct tape
• A ruler
• Hot glue
• A box cutter
• Glitter!! (optional)
5. Cork boards
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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Felt
Felt is a good insulator because the fabric
has many air pockets. So air can come
through but cannot escape from the inside.
9. 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.
10. 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)
11. Procedure
Step 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.
12. Procedure
Step 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
13. Procedure
Step 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 below
then measure out a same size piece of
emergency blanket and glue in to the bottom
14. Procedure
Step 5:
Put tape on the all of the bottom of the
insulator to cover the hole.
15. 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.
16. Procedure
Step 7:
Tape together all four sides of the foam
board together using the duct tape to make
a rectangular box shape.
17. Procedure
Step 7:
After the glue has dried, align the inside with
felt on all of the inside walls of the insulator
18. Procedure
Step 8:
After the glue has dried, line the insides of
the insulator with emergency blanket. Silver
side facing inward.
19. Procedure
Step 9:
Stuff the bottom of the insulator with hay
string
20. Procedure
Step 10:
Test out insulator and record data
