Making insulator that keeps water at the same temperature

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a project to create an insulator that maintains water temperature for a specified duration, focusing on the use of recycled materials. Participants explore various materials and methods for insulation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest different materials such as Styrofoam and aluminum, and discuss the effectiveness of reflective surfaces like mirrors for insulation. There is also mention of nested containers and minimizing contact to enhance insulation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with various suggestions being shared. Some participants are exploring multiple material options and techniques, while others are questioning the effectiveness of different approaches without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are required to use recycled materials for their project, which may limit the options available for insulation methods.

CityNoise
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Well i have to do this project/experiment creating an insulator that keeps water at the same temperature for an hour or some duration of time. I was thinking of Styrofoam, but i just wanted to post this here in case someone could help me out or give some ideas. I have to use recycled materials.

thanks
 
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CityNoise said:
Well i have to do this project/experiment creating an insulator that keeps water at the same temperature for an hour or some duration of time. I was thinking of Styrofoam, but i just wanted to post this here in case someone could help me out or give some ideas. I have to use recycled materials.

thanks

I don't know exactly what you will have on hand, but if you can line the inside of your insulator with mirrors (reflective surface facing in, of course) you can make it insulate better. This is a trick that most thermos bottle makers use.

-Dan
 
yea i thought about Aluminum. Any other ideas?
 
Aluminium Spray paint
 
Nested containers. A small air gap is about as good insulation as you can get. You need to minimize the contact with the outer container and take care to eliminate air circulation.
 
Heat is lost through radiation, convection and condution. You should aim to design your setup so that these factors are minimized.
 

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