Effective insulation
I can explain how to carry out a fair test to investigate insulators.
Effective insulation
I can explain how to carry out a fair test to investigate insulators.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In a fair test, only the independent variable is changed so that no other changes could affect the results.
- The variables that are deliberately kept the same are called control variables.
- A lid on a beaker prevents transfer of energy by convection currents.
- Gas is a very poor thermal conductor.
Common misconception
Heat is a substance that flows through an insulator.
Always refer to it being particle vibrations that are passed on through a material and do not refer to heat moving.
Keywords
Control experiments - These are done to find a baseline set of results to which others can be compared.
Independent variables - These are factors that are changed during an experiment to see how they affect the dependent variable.
Dependent variables - These are measured during an experiment to see how they have been affected by changes to the independent variable.
Control variables - These are factors that need to be kept constant in an experiment for the test to be fair.
Equipment
Kettles to boil water, beakers with cardboard lids, larger beakers to hold the smaller ones, thermometers, stopwatches and selection of insulating materials.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the surface of the Sun
boiling point of water
freezing point of water
boiling point of oxygen
typical room temperature
Exit quiz
6 Questions
used to find a baseline results to which others can be compared
its values are selected by the experimenter
it's values are measured to get a set of results
kept constant in an experiment for the test to be fair