which cup is the best insulator???

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hvinsonhaler
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:50 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: which type of material for a container is the best insulator
Project Due Date: march 11th
Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data

which cup is the best insulator???

Post by hvinsonhaler »

So i am trying to see which type of cup would be the best insulator out of: glass, paper, plastic, and styrophoam.... My results were syrofoam... do u guys agree with that?????
kgudger
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Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:20 pm
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Re: which cup is the best insulator???

Post by kgudger »

Hello and welcome to the forums.

There are too many variables involved to give an absolute answer. What did you control for? Are the cups the same volume, weight, etc.? If you would like to post your results, we can look at them. Thanks.

Keith
hvinsonhaler
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:50 pm
Occupation: student
Project Question: which type of material for a container is the best insulator
Project Due Date: march 11th
Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data

Re: which cup is the best insulator???

Post by hvinsonhaler »

Yes the cups were the same weight and volume.. I made sure each time that it was the same starting temperarue. For 3 trials I started it at 150 degrees and let it cool for 2 mins. For another three i started with the same temperature as before but this time i let it cool for 3 mins. For another three trails i started the water out at 200 degrees and alloud it to cool for 2 mins then the same process again while letting the water cool for 3 minutes. Each time styrofoam kept the liquid warmest. I tried to upload my results but it wouldnt let me. I hope you found the summary of my procedure helpful.
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