Heat gain or loss by s conductor and an insulator.

In summary, the suggested experiment involves boiling a conductor in water and then quickly transferring it to room temperature water to measure the heat loss. This can be compared to a similar experiment with an insulator to determine the difference in heat gain or loss between the two.
  • #1
firemama
3
0
Does anyone know of an experiment or know where I can find an experiment to compare the heat gain or heat loss by a conductor and an insulator?
 
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  • #2
I'm not 100% sure that this would do the trick, but off the top of my head you could boil a conductor in water log enough for it to reach thermal equilibrium (so that it's temp will be ~100C throughout) ad then quickly transfer it into a container of room temperature water and take measurements of the water's temp as a function of time. The heat lost by the conductor will approximately equal the heat gained by the water and since you know the specific heat of water, you can calculate how much heat is lost as a function of time based on your temperature measurements. Then simply repeat the process with an insulator of similar dimensions and compare your results.
 

1. How does heat transfer occur in a conductor and an insulator?

Heat transfer in a conductor occurs through the movement of free electrons, while in an insulator it occurs through the vibrations of atoms or molecules.

2. Which materials are considered good conductors and insulators?

Metals such as copper, silver, and aluminum are considered good conductors, while materials like rubber, plastic, and wood are good insulators.

3. How does the thickness of a material affect heat transfer?

The thicker a material is, the slower the rate of heat transfer will be. This is because a thicker material provides more resistance to the flow of heat.

4. How does temperature difference affect heat transfer in a conductor and an insulator?

In a conductor, the higher the temperature difference between two points, the greater the rate of heat transfer. In an insulator, the opposite is true, as a greater temperature difference will result in a slower rate of heat transfer.

5. Why do metals feel colder to the touch than other materials?

This is because metals are good conductors of heat, so when they come into contact with our skin, heat is quickly transferred away from our body, making the metal feel cold.

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