P1a 1.

3
Practical sheet
Name: Class:

Testing sheets of materials as insulators

Aim
To work as part of a team to compare different insulating materials by using them to insulate
beakers or cans of hot water.

Part 1
1 Use different insulating materials to insulate identical cans (or beakers) of hot water. Make sure
each beaker has a lid to stop evaporation of water from the beaker. Each group in the team is to
make measurements using one of the beakers.
2 Use the measuring cylinder to ensure the same volume of hot water is in each beaker.
3 Using a stopwatch and a thermometer, measure the water temperature in ‘your’ beaker at the
start and then every minute for 20 minutes.
Record all your measurements in the results table.
Plot your own measurements on a graph of water temperature against time.

Part 2
4 Discuss with the team how best to compare your measurements. For example:
a) You could use your graphs to measure the time taken for the water temperature to fall from
one temperature to another.
Or:
b) You could measure the temperature drop in 15 minutes, starting from the same temperature.
Record the results of your comparison in a table. Use the results from all the groups to
discuss which material is the best insulator.

AQA Science © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2006 P1a 1.3 1

 P1a 1.3
Practical sheet
Continued …

Part 1
Results table
Time from start/ Temperature/°C Time from start Temperature continued
minutes continued

Part 2
Comparison table
Material Results Notes

AQA Science © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2006 P1a 1.3 2