Can Challenge 2013

By: Manal Haroon and Rachel Anderson

ObjectiveThe 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.

HypothesisOur 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 boardsFoam 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 StringHay 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.

FeltFelt is a good insulator because the fabric has many air pockets. So air can come through but cannot escape from the inside.

Emergency blanketsEmergency 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.

ProcedureStep 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:

Cut out a 6 x 2 square of foam to fit on the inside of the insulator. Put felt around it in 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

ProcedureStep 5:

Put tape on the all of the bottom of the insulator to cover the hole.

ProcedureStep 6:

cut out four same size pieces of corkboard (10 x 10 x 20) and glue one on each of the foam

boards.

ProcedureStep 7:

Tape together all four sides of the foam board together using the duct tape to make a

rectangular box shape.

ProcedureStep 7:

After the glue has dried, align the inside with felt on all of the inside walls of the insulator

ProcedureStep 8:

After the glue has dried, line the insides of the insulator with emergency blanket. Silver side

facing inward.

ProcedureStep 9:

Stuff the bottom of the insulator with hay string

ProcedureStep 10:

Test out insulator and record data