The School for Champions is an educational website that shows you how to achieve your dreams.

School for Champions

SfC Home > Physical Science >

Reader questions and feedback on physical science. Also refer to physics, chemistry, astronomy, electricity, magnetism, electromagnet, light, sound, waves, forces, work, energy, friction, heat, thermodynamics, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Thermal Insulation

The following 128 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.

List of first 10 items

Next 10


Confused about thernal radiation

Question

September 25, 2009

Hi,
I found you page on thermal insulation very helpful, so thank you but I am confused about how you say that "thermal radiation (heat) cannot pass through a vacuum", but if we receive heat from sun, through space, which I have been told is a vacuum.
Thanks for your help,

Anna - UK

18382

Answer

The paragraph where I mention that heat cannot pass through a vacuum was on thermal conduction, which requires matter. This form of heat comes from moving molecules.

The paragraph on "Insulation from radiation" concerns thermal radiation, and that can pass through a vacuum. However, the reflective coatings in a thermos are used to reflect thermal radiation.

Note that heat can be transferred by convection, conduction and radiation.

Perhaps I should clarify the paragraph on heat, so there is no misunderstanding.

Back to top


I don't understand insulation

Question

May 20, 2009

i don't anderstand the ideas about insulation system

hamza - Ethiopia

17778

Answer

Thermal insulation is preventing the flow of heat through a material. Metal conducts heat from one end to another quickly. But good insulators don't/

Back to top


What would insulate a 12 oz aluminum can?

Question

March 13, 2009

okay so i have a project coming up and i was wondering what would insulate a 12 oz aluminum can? would duck type wrapped in pencils work or paper or foil??
what would work the best
we want the highest heat posible so ideas please
thank you

courtney - USA

17439

Answer

You could wrap the can with something that does not conduct heat very well. There are Styrofoam cup holders that are very good. You could wrap it in layers of newspaper, as long as the layers are thick enough. Even wrapping a wool scarf around the can could be good to insulate it.

Look at our Reader Feedback to see what other students are doing. Also see:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/thermos.htm
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/heat_transfer_coffee.htm

Back to top


How can a stainless steel coffee mug hold heat?

Question

February 25, 2009

Hi I was wondering, since metals that conduct electricity have poor insulation why do they use stainless steel in thermos coffee mugs? Doesn't stainless steel conduct electricity?

- USA

17333

Answer

Stainless steel is a strange metal. Although it is an alloy of steel and nickel, it is not usually magnetic. It does conduct electricity, but also, the rate that it conducts heat is only 20% of that of steel. To add to its ability to hold heat, a stainless steel coffee mug has a shiny surface which does not radiate away heat as would a dark dull surface.

Although a stainless steel coffee mug is not as efficient as a ceramic mug in holding heat (except for the fact that you can put a cap on it), the stainless steel mug is more convenient to use.

Back to top


Testing for best insulator

Question

October 30, 2008

Thank you very much, information was extremely helpful and I am very appreciative. By the way, i'm doing a sci. fair project, and I'm testing what insulator would be the best insulation to put in buildings? Cellulose, Fiberglass, or rockwool?

- USA

16712

Answer

The effectiveness of insulation is determined by its R-value, which is related to the type of material and its thickness.

As a Science Fair project, you want to compare the same thickness of materials to determine which one works the best in a building. The chart on the Thermal Insulation page shows that 1 inch thick fiberglass board as an R-value of 4.35, while 1 inch of cellulose is 3.7. That means the fiberglass is a better insulator. I don't have numbers for rockwool, but I think they are a little lower.

Best wishes in your project.

Back to top


Temperature homework problem

Question

February 20, 2008

If a space is at a temperature of 55 deg F with Humidity of 90%, the adjacent space separated by R-5 wall of 2" thick is 35 deg F with a humidity of 75%, there is no air movement, what would the temperature be at 12" from the wall on the 55 deg side?

Sam - USA

15405

Answer

That sounds like a good problem. Unfortunately, we do not solve problems.

Back to top


Needs to keep ice cube from melting

Question

February 6, 2008

Hey,

I have a project due in about a week ( February 12th, 2008 ), and it's about making a container of some sort to keep an ice cube from melting. I have to try to make the ice cube last (not melt) for 6 hours, at least. What materials should I use? (Tinfoil, styrofoam, bubble wrap..ect) What container should I use? (Glass container, popcan, ect.) How would I put it together? What would be good insulators? Please answer as soon as possible!!!

Thanks, and sorry for asking to many questions.

Bob - Canada

15291

Answer

Take a look at the Reader Feedback in both Thermal Insulation and Thermos Container lessons to see what other students have done. There are plenty of examples. I think they will answer your questions.

Back to top


Trying to keep an ice cube from melting

Question

February 5, 2008

I have a project that I have to do, it involves keeping an ice cube from melting for several hours (6 hours to be exact). I just want to know what materials I should use? What materials are good insulators? What container should I use ( popcan, glass bottle, ect.) Also this project has to be home made. How would I place the materials to keep the ice cube from melting? Please answer as soon as possible. Thanks =P

- Canada

15283

Answer

See the lesson on Thermos Container at: http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/thermos.htm to see pictures and information. Then check the Reader Feedback to see what others students have done and to answer your questions.

Back to top


Is Aluminum a good insulator?

Question

February 1, 2008

hi! i have to do a project on insulating a can, and keeping the water in the can as warm as possible. Is aluminum foil a good insualtor? Am I suppose to have some kind of conduction, radiation, and convection types of materials to keep the can warm?

divya - Canada

15260

Answer

Aluminum foil is only good to prevent radiation transfer of heat. It is not a good insulator for conduction or convection. Look at the Reader Feedback for both Thermal Insulation and Thermos Container lessons to see what other students have been doing.

Back to top


Must keep an ice cube cold

Question

February 1, 2008

I'm doing a project that involves keeping an ice cube for several hours without melting (6 hours to be exact). I want to know how you could make it last that long. What materials should I use/what would be the best materials to use? It has to be home made. How can I prevent conduction, convection, and radiation from melting the ice cube? Please answer ASAP Thank you.

- Canada

15259

Answer

Styrofoam, bubble wrap and even newspaper can insulate your container.

See the Reader Feedback in the Thermal Insulation and Thermos Container lessons to see what other students have done.

Back to top

Next 10

Summary

Hopefully, this reader feedback has helped provide information about Science issues.



Resources

The following are some resources on this topic.

Websites

Science Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Physical Science

Miscellaneous


What do you think?

Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.


Where can you go from here?

School for Champions

Physical Science Topics

Answers to Readers' Questions

The School for Champions helps you become the type of person that can be can be called a Champion.