Thermal Insulation E-practical
Introduction
This simple experiment allows you to determine how different materials and thicknesses of materials affect heat loss. We are all used to the idea of having heating on indoors during the winter when the outside temperature is low. We commonly use double glazing to make the insulation between the inside and outside of our houses stop as much heat loss as possible. All substances conduct heat at different rates, some are much better insulators than others. In the diagram we can see that the temperature drops from an inside warmer temperature to a colder temperature across the insulating substance.
Realistic experimental technique
E-practicals are 3d, highly realistic emulations based on a blend of theory and the actual practicals, giving an authentic experience of doing the actual practical in a laboratory. Students operate the apparatus, make measurements and obtain their own results. It is designed to reproduce the experience of performing the practical rather than simply demonstrating the underlying physics. Like a real experiment, it can be done badly. Careless setup or measurements can produce poor results, so students have to apply experimental technique and take care with their measurements.
Useful when laboratory access is limited
Ideal for preparation before a practical, revision afterwards, missed practicals, home study, or demonstrating an experiment when setting up the real apparatus isn't practical.
Works directly in a browser
No installation is required. Windows, Mac and suitable mobile devices can run the WebGL e-practical.
Watch it in Action
This shows how the e-practical can be used. In particular it shows how the student or teacher interacts with the apparatus and how the interaction can be controlled using the mouse or the alternative on-screen controls.
What students do
Experiment 1
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Start by lighting the Bunsen burner. The water will start to heat.
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The heating rate can be increased by opening the air intake on the Bunsen burner.
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Heat the water in the beaker to 85C.
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Turn off the Bunsen burner.
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Record the temperature again at 5 minute intervals up to 20 mins.
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repeat the experiment for the different available materials.
Experiment 2
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Start by lighting the Bunsen burner. The water will start to heat.
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The heating rate can be increased by opening the air intake on the Bunsen burner.
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Heat the water in the beaker to 85C.
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Turn off the Bunsen burner.
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Select the paper 1mm insulation.
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Record the temperature at 5 minute intervals up to 20 mins.
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Repeat the experiment for the material cylinders of the other available thicknesses
The students should tabulate their results which will clearly show the effectiveness of the different materials and thicknesses.
What you get
The application is supplied as a PowerPoint which provides background, a synopsis of what the student will learn, a description of the Physics involved, a description of the apparatus, the independent and dependent variables, the method, a link to the interactive online e-practical, analysis of the results and further discussion.
E-practical
Runs in a modern web browser. No software installation required. Recommended or desktops but will run successfully on tablets of medium to large size with a browser that supports WebGL.
School/Department licence £9.99
Valid for 1 year