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Thermal Insulating Materials: A Self Directed Experiment

Tim Quah

October 14, 2013

Introduction

In a past lab, the experiment conducted was to find the calorimeter constant of a Styrofoam coffee-

cup calorimeter. Then using the coffee-cup calorimeter constant to find the specific heat of an unknown metal. In

this self-directed lab, finding the calorimeter constants will be used to find the best coffee-cup calorimeter of

several calorimeters, then further determining the best material for an insulator.

A coffee-cup calorimeter, is often used to find the specific heat of an object. However, it must be

taken in account that the coffee-cup calorimeter absorbs heat. The heat absorbed is accounted by the calorimeter

constant. The calorimeter constant is found by finding the amount of energy absorbed by the calorimeter which is

found using the equation:

qcalorimeter=− (mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆Twarmwater )−(mcoolwater×C cool water×∆T cool water)

Then using the energy absorbed by the calorimeter and the change in water temperature, the calorimeter constant

can be found using this equation:

C calorimeter=qcalorimeter∆T coolwater

The calorimeter constant is in joules/◦Celsius, meaning a higher calorimeter constant makes a better coffee-cup

calorimeter because it is more resistant to temperature causing the calorimeter to absorb less heat, therefore

having less heat exchanges.

Some specific heat values for the materials used in part A:

Table 1: Proposed Material list and Specific Heat

Material Specific Heat J/g◦C

Plastic, Solid 1.67 J/g◦C

Ceramic, Porcelain 1.85 J/g◦C

Styrofoam, Polystyrene 1.3 J/g◦C

Since, specific heat directly effects the calorimeter constant, specific heat can be a good gauge for the calorimeter

constant. Based on the proposed materials, the best calorimeter suggested by the data is the ceramics compared

to the rest of materials. It is predicted that Ceramics will be the best coffee-cup calorimeter for the experiment

since it has the highest specific heat.

Thermal insulating materials is the application for finding calorimeter constant in the first part of the

experiment. The best thermal insulating materials minimizes conduction, convection, and radiation. Energy in this

experiment will be transferred via conduction; therefore, conduction will be the minimized. The idea of Thermal

Insulating Materials is similar to the idea of ideal calorimeters, since it is the same idea the higher the calorimeter

constant the better the thermal insulating material is.

Table 2: Proposed Material List and Specific Heat

Based on the specific heat of the objects, it is predicted that

cloth will have be the best thermal insulating material. The

specific heat of the cloth if it is felt has the highest specific heat

which usually yields the highest calorimeter constant. Sand is

predicted to have the lowest calorimeter constant because its

specific heat or resistance to temperature change is low.

Material Specific Heat J/g◦C

Paper 1.336 J/g◦C

Aluminum Foil 0.87 J/g◦C

Sea Sand 0.80 J/g◦C

Styrofoam Peanuts 1.30 J/g◦C

Cloth( felt) 1.38 J/g◦C

Experimental

1. Set up the MeasureNet WorkStation

by turning the station on and

attaching the temperature probe.

2. Obtain a 150 mL Beaker and ice

water, calibrate the MeasureNet

Workstation by push the Calibrate

button. Place the probe in the water

and stir the probe around and when

the temperature reads close to 0

⁰C. Press Enter.

3. Set the parameters for the experiment, in time (max and min) temperature (max

and min). Press Display.

4. Obtain two Styrofoam cups and a lid to make a calorimeter.

5. Measure 45-50g of cool water on a balance and add it to the calorimeter. Record

the mass and temperature.

6. Set up the magnetic stirrer/calorimeter assembly depicted in figure 1. Be sure to

make sure the Temperature probe does not collide with stir bar, and still be 1 cm

above the bottom of the calorimeter.

7. Obtain a hotplate and place it at least 2 feet from the MeasureNet Station.

8. Heat about 60 mL of water in a Beaker on a hotplate.

9. Make sure the water is 45⁰C-60⁰C if it not hot enough heat it for additional time.

10. When the water is hot enough pour 50mL exactly into a graduated cylinder.

Assume water’s density at 1.00g/mL. Record the temperature of the water and the

weight.

11. Start the MeasureNet and start the magnetic stirrer.

12. After 5 seconds open the lid of the calorimeter

and pour the hot water into the calorimeter.

Quickly replace the lid.

13. When the temperature of the water has

plateaued at an equilibrium point stop the

MeasureNet. Save the file using File Options F3

and save with a logical 3 digit code, change

the code for each different data collection.

14. Disassemble the Assembly and decant the

water.

15. Using the data collected calculate the specific heat.

qcalorimeter=− (mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆Twarmwater )−(mcoolwater×C cool water×∆T cool water)

16. Using the Specific heat of the calorimeter calculate the calorimeter constant.


17. Repeat steps 5-17 one more time using Styrofoam cups.

18. Repeat steps 4-14 an additional time for accuracy.

19. Find the average the calorimeter constant of the Styrofoam cups.

20. Repeat steps 4-19 with metal, ceramic and plastic cups.

21. For Part B obtain a 600 mL Beaker and a Styrofoam cup.

22. Measure 45-50g of cool water on a balance and add it to the Styrofoam cup.

Record the mass and temperature.

23. Set assembly depicted in figure 2. Be sure to make sure the Temperature probe

does not collide with stir bar, and still be 1 cm above the bottom of the Styrofoam

cup.

24. Obtain a hotplate and place it at least 2 feet from the MeasureNet Station.

25. Heat about 60 mL of water in a Beaker on a hotplate.

26. Make sure the water is 45⁰C-60⁰C if it not hot enough heat it for additional time.

27. When the water is hot enough pour 50mL exactly into a graduated cylinder.

Assume water’s density at 1.00g/mL. Record the temperature of the water and the

weight.

28. Start the MeasureNet and start the magnetic stirrer.

29. Repeat steps 4-14 an additional time for

accuracy.

30. In the 600 mL Beaker around the Styrofoam

Cup add cloth (figure 3)

31. Repeat steps 22-32 for cloth.

32. Using the Specific heat of the cloth calculate a

calorimeter constant.

C cloth=qcloth

∆T cool water

33. Repeat the steps 36-39 one more time for cloth.

34. Repeat steps 36-40 for paper, aluminum, Styrofoam Peanuts, and sand.

Data Tables

Materials Cold Water Mass- g

Cold Water Temp-⁰C

Hot Water Mass-g

Hot Water Temp-⁰C

Equilibrium Temp-⁰C

Metal, Trial 1 49.79 g 22.8395 ⁰C 50.10 g 63. 0⁰C 41.4153⁰CStyrofoam, Trial 1 47.82 g 22.7309 ⁰C 50.10 g 65.8⁰C 44.3107⁰CCeramic, Trial 1 49.53 g 22.8805 ⁰C 50.10 g 60.0⁰C 39.3967⁰CPlastic, Trial 1 46.45 g 23.1451⁰C 50.10 g 55.0⁰C 38.8453⁰CMetal, Trial 2 48.07 g 24.9948 ⁰C 50.10 g 61.0⁰C 42.6884⁰CStyrofoam, Trial 2 48.23 g 26.3589 ⁰C 50.10 g 64.0⁰C 44.1334⁰CCeramic, Trial 2 48.36 g 24.9948 ⁰C 50.10 g 78.0⁰C 42.6599⁰CPlastic, Trial 2 48.84 g 25.2053 ⁰C 50.10 g 75.0⁰C 48.4429⁰C

Table 1: Part A

Table 3: Part B

Insulation

Material

Mass of Cold

Water-g

Mass of Warm

Water-g

Cold Water

Temp. C ̊Warm Water

Temp. C ̊Equilibrium Temp.

C̊̊Peanuts T1 47.388 g 50 g 23.44 C ̊ 79.8 C ̊ 47.60 C ̊Peanuts T2 46.1117 g 50 g 23.57 C ̊ 77.9 C ̊ 46.85 C ̊Paper T1 48 g 45.5 g 26.64 C ̊ 71 C ̊ 41.77 C ̊Paper T2 54 g 54 g 27.67 C ̊ 80 C ̊ 46.87 C ̊Cloth T1 49.807 g 50.01 g 27.07 C ̊ 54 C ̊ 39.96 C ̊Cloth T2 49.08 g 50.01 g 28.21 C ̊ 63 C ̊ 45.72 C ̊Aluminum Foil

T1

50.03 g 48 g 23.36 C ̊ 75 C ̊ 45.24 C ̊

Aluminum Foil

T1

50.05 g 50 g 23.6 C ̊ 75 C ̊ 46.19 C ̊

Sea Sand T1 51 g 50 g 24.63 C ̊ 60 C ̊ 40.68 C ̊Sea Sand T2 51 g 51.5 g 27.95 C ̊ 65 C ̊ 45.27 C ̊

Thermogram

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 3605

1015202530354045

Calibration of Metal Cup Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

⁰C

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 420

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Calibration of Metal Cup Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pera

ture

, ⁰C

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.505

101520253035404550

Calibration of Styrofoam Cup Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

⁰C

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.505

101520253035404550

Calibration of Styrofoam Cup Calorimeter Trial 2

Time,s

Tem

pret

ure,

⁰C

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.5 3334.5

05

1015202530354045

Calibration of Ceramic Cup Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pera

ture

, ⁰C

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

05

1015202530354045

Calibration of Ceramic Cup Calorimeter Trial 1

Time,s

Tem

pera

ture

⁰C

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2705

1015202530354045

Calibration of Plastic Cup Calorimeter Trial 1

Time,s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Calibration of Plastic Cup Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.5 3334.5

05

101520253035404550

Calibration of Aluminum Foil Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.5 3305

101520253035404550

Calibration of Aluminum Foil Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 380

10

20

30

40

50

60

Calibration of Penuts Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.5 3334.5

05

101520253035404550

Calibration of Penuts Calorimeter Trial 2

Time,s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 340

51015

2025

30354045

Calibration of Sea Sand Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5 30

31.5 3305

101520253035404550

Calibration of Sea Sand Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure

C,̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2728.5

05

1015202530354045

Calibration of Paper Calorimeter Trial 1

Tme,s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2705

101520253035404550

Calibration of Paper Towels Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 910.5 12

13.5 1516.5 18

19.5 2122.5 24

25.5 2705

1015202530354045

Calibration of Cloth Towels Calorimeter Trial 1

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 3805

101520253035404550

Calibration of Cloth Towels Calorimeter Trial 2

Time, s

Tem

pret

ure,

C ̊

Calculations

Metal Trial 1:

qcalorimeter=[−(mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆T warmwater )−(mcool water×C coolwater×∆Tcoolwater)]qcalorimeter=¿

qcalorimeter=654.2 J


C calorimeter=qcalorimeter

(47.60⁰C−23.44⁰C)

C calorimeter=35.2J /⁰C

Metal Trial 2:

qcalorimeter=[−(mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆T warmwater )−(mcoolwater×C coolwater×∆Tcoolwater)]qcalorimeter=¿

qcalorimeter=279.5 J



(42.688⁰C−24.995⁰C)

C calorimeter=15.82 J /⁰C

Styrofoam Trial 1:

qcalorimeter=[−(mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆T warmwater )−(mcool water×C coolwater×∆Tcoolwater)]

qcalorimeter=[−(50.1 g×4.18 Jg×C

×(44.3110C−65.80C))−(47.82g×4.18 Jg×C

×(44.311⁰C−22.731⁰C))]qcalorimeter=186.7 J



(44.311⁰C−26.35⁰C)


Styrofoam Trial 2:



×(44.130C−64.00C))−(48.23g×4.18 Jg×C




(44.13⁰C−26.36⁰C)


Ceramic Trial 1

qcalorimeter=[−(mwarmwater×Cwarmwater×∆T warmwater )−(mcoolwater×C coolwater×∆Tcoolwater)]


×(39.400C−60.00C ))−(49.53g×4.18 Jg×C




(39.40⁰C−22.88⁰C)


Ceramic Trial 2


qcalorimeter=[(−50.1 g×4.18 Jg×C

×(42.660C−780C))−(48.36 g×4.18 Jg×C

×(42.66⁰C−24.99⁰C)) ]qcalorimeter=3829 J



(42.66⁰C−24.99⁰C)


Plastic Trial 1



×(38.850C−55.00C))−(46.45 g×4.18 Jg×C

×(38.85⁰C−23.15⁰C ))]qcalorimeter=334.7 J



(38.85⁰C−23.15⁰C)


Plastic Trial 2



×(48.440C−75.00C))−(48.84 g×4.18 Jg×C




((48.44⁰C−25.21⁰C))


Peanuts Trial 1



×(47.60C−79.80C))−(47.39 g×4.18 Jg×C




(47.6⁰C−23.44⁰C)


Peanut Trial 2



×(47.60C−77.90C))−(47.39 g×4.18 Jg×C




(47.6⁰C−23.44⁰C)


Paper Trial 1


qcalorimeter=[−(45.5g×4.18 Jg×C

×(41.770C−71.00C ))−(48.0g×4.18 Jg×C




(41.77⁰C−26.64⁰C)


Paper Trial 2



×(46.870C−800C))−(54.0 g×4.18 Jg×C




(46.87⁰C−27.67⁰C)


Cloth Trial 1



×(39.960C−540C))−(49.807 g×4.18 Jg×C




(39.96⁰C−27.07⁰C)


Cloth Trial 2



×(45.720C−630C ))−(49.08g×4.18 Jg×C

×(45.72⁰C−28.21⁰C ))]qcalorimeter=20 J



(45.72⁰C−28.21⁰C)


Aluminum Trial 1


qcalorimeter=[−(48.75g×4.18 Jg×C

×(45.240C−750C))−(50.03 g×4.18 Jg×C




(45.24⁰C−23.36⁰C)

C calorimeter=63.8 J / ⁰C

Aluminum Trial 2



×(46.190C−750C))−(50.05g×4.18 Jg×C




(46.19⁰C−23.6⁰C)


Sea sand Trial 1



×(40.680C−60.00C))−(51g×4.18 Jg×C




(40.68⁰C−24.63⁰C)


Sea Sand Trial 2



×(45.270C−650C))−(51g×4.18 Jg×C




(45.27⁰C−27.95⁰C)


Part A: Calorimeter Constants

Materials Specific Heat-J

Calorimeter ConstantJ/C⁰

Average for Calorimeter Constant Materials J/C⁰

Metal Trial 1 654.2 35.2 25.5

Metal Trial 2 279.6 15.8Styrofoam Trial 1 186.7 8.7

20.5

Styrofoam Trial 2 577.1 32.5Ceramic, Trial 1 895.3 54.2

135.5

Ceramic, Trial 2 3829.9 216.8Plastic, Trial 1 334.7 21.3 28.3Plastic, Trial 2 817.5 35.2Peanuts T1 1944.1 80.5 83.2

Peanuts T22002.3 86.0

Paper T1 2523.6 166.8 165.3Paper T2 3144.3 163.8Cloth T1 251.3 19.5 10.3Cloth T2 20.0 1.1Aluminum Foil T1 1395.4 63.8

60.6

Aluminum Foil T2 1295.3 57.3Sea Sand T1 616.3 38.4 35.2Sea Sand T2 555.0 32.0

Discussion and Conclusion

The data collected from this lab is not significant because the amounts of errors in this lab are

numerous. The lab is full of errors this is apparent because the deviation between the specific heats and

calorimeter constants vary significantly. The optimal coffee cup calorimeter was not conclusively found.

However, based on the data the Ceramic Cup would have been the optimal coffee cup calorimeter. The

calorimeter constant collected from the data of the ceramic cup is unrealistically high. Errors that could

have arose from ceramics could be attributed to the weighing error for water. The ceramic cups were

too heavy for the scale, so the only solution was to weigh the water and pour it into the cup. This

probably caused a mass difference effecting the data. The metal cup calorimeter constant is too high for

a metal object. The error in this experiment could have been attributed to the stirrer not being able to

stir so a manual stirrer was used. This meant that heat might have escaped through the cover. The same

occurred in the plastic cup where the stirrer was unusable. The other error could have been a reading

error. The thermometers are not very accurate for the hot water testing this could have affected the

calculations slightly. The hot water weight is slightly off because the water must be measured in a

graduated cylinder then dumped into the calorimeter, in the process some water is left over. The main

error was located that the Styrofoam cups had two layers contrasted with the rest of the cups, which

had a single layer. The error in the materials could have been how center and how packed was the cup

in the material. Another error could have been the two trials were packed differently; therefore, the

numbers of the calorimeter came out differently. The last error could have come from cold water

becoming Luke-warm water. This could have affected the calculations in the change of cold water as

well as the equilibrium temperature.

There is not sufficient to accept the hypothesis, the data does not show a sure correlation with

the hypothesis. The experiment was to test the calorimeter constant by using the change of

temperature based on the weight of the second object placed in the calorimeter, which were an

aluminum cup, plastic cup, ceramic cup, and a Styrofoam cup. The Ceramic cup did the best at 135.5

J/⁰C, however even though this is the predicted position of the ceramic cup the value of the calorimeter

constant is fairly inaccurate so there is not sufficient evidence to support that the ceramic cup or any of

the calorimeters are most optimal.

Part B of the experiment was to insulate cups and find the calorimeter constant of the materials.

This was plagued with errors unknown because this was done as a class rather than all done by the same

team. The paper was at 165.3 J/⁰C, however this value is also very high for a calorimeter constant and

can almost be invalid because it is out of probable range, the cloth was projected the highest, but was

also had errors in which the two values differed by much. There is not sufficient evidence to support that

cloth or any material were most optimal.

Works Cited

"CHE 11 Lab-Calorimetry." CHE 11 Lab-Calorimetry. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.

<http://web.centre.edu/che/che11_lab/calorimetry.htm>.

"Specific Heat of Some Common Substances." Specific Heat of Some Common Substances. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-capacity-

d_391.html>.

Stanton, Bobby, Lin Zhu, and Charles H. Atwood. "Experiment 5: Thermal Insulating Materials: A

Self-Directed Experiment." Experiments in General Chemistry Featuring Measurenet:

Guided Inquiry, Self-directored, and Capstone. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage

Learning, 2010. 53-55. Print.

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