Heat Transfer

In the insulation experiment I was fascinated to see which types of common materials work the most effectively at preventing heat loss. As a person that likes to be efficient with energy usage I was most curious to see if there was a common household item to further help me become more energy efficient. In this experiment the materials tested included aluminum foil, plastic wrap, cardboard, and newspaper. From the experiment I found that my hypothesis of the aluminum foil being the best insulator was confirmed due to the high reflectivity of aluminum foil for thermal energy and the effective radiant barrier it develops against heat loss.






The most interesting result came from the cardboard which was the second best insulator. This is attributed to the multilayered weaved construction of the cardboard. The overlapping layers prevented easy heat loss through radiation while the overall construction of the cardboard created a pocket of air between the two layers of weaved paper. This allowed for the air, once heated, to act as a blanket and further seal the system. Thus, the cardboard utilized two strategies to insulate the mug, the layered thicker paper and the pocket of air in between the layers of paper. This strategy of utilizing air as an insulator is observed in nature as well. As we shiver the erector pili muscles under our skin stand up the hair on our bodies which in turn traps a layer of air under the hair. The radiant heat from our bodies heats the air and the air reradiates that heat back to us. Thus, the air acts like a blanket around us. 

The data gained from this experiment demonstrated for me that the most effective method of preventing heat loss is to employ multiple strategies in insulation. I was greatly impressed by the cardboard’s ability to insulate the mug. A simple thing like paper when teamed up with another insulator can be dramatically effective. For instance, the aluminum foil covered with cardboard would be an excellent adaptation to this experiment that may also decrease the heat loss. This information would lead to the further application of heat transfer through more effective strategies of insulating food and our homes. 

If I was to repeat this experiment I would try using two insulators in conjunction and try a variety of materials to see how the use of these insulators in tandem further improves their ability to prevent heat loss. For instance, cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap topped with a hand towel. In the end I would expect the cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil to be the best insulator; however, the use of multiple insulators should increase their overall effectiveness.