6.PS3.3 Thermal Energy Transfer

Which material would be best to use as an insulator when designing a device to keep a drink hot for a long period of time?

• Aluminum foil

• Cotton fabric

• Glass

• Steel

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When constructing a device to keep ice from melting, which of the following steps would help minimize thermal energy transfer?

• Wrapping the ice in a thin plastic bag

• Placing the ice in a metal container

• Surrounding the ice with foam insulation

• Leaving the ice exposed to air

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If you want to maximize the transfer of thermal energy from a hot object to its surroundings, which design feature should you include in your device?

• Use a shiny, reflective surface

• Add thick layers of insulation

• Increase the surface area exposed to air

• Use a vacuum-sealed container

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Which of the following best explains why a thermos bottle keeps liquids hot or cold for a longer time?

• It is made of metal, which conducts heat well

• It has a vacuum layer that reduces heat transfer

• It is painted a dark color

• It is filled with water

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You are given a set of materials: plastic wrap, aluminum foil, cotton, and cardboard. Which combination would you choose to construct a device that minimizes heat loss, and why?

• Plastic wrap and aluminum foil, because they are shiny

• Cotton and cardboard, because they trap air and insulate

• Aluminum foil and cardboard, because they are strong

• Plastic wrap and cotton, because they are flexible

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A student designs two containers to keep soup hot. Container A is wrapped in thick wool, and Container B is wrapped in thin plastic. After 30 minutes, the soup in Container A is warmer than in Container B. What does this result suggest about the materials used?

• Wool is a better conductor of heat than plastic

• Plastic is a better insulator than wool

• Wool is a better insulator than plastic

• Both materials are equally effective

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You are asked to design a device to keep an ice cube from melting for as long as possible. Describe a plan for testing how well your device works and what measurements you would take.

• Place the device in the sun and check it after one hour

• Measure the mass of the ice cube before and after a set time to see how much melted

• Weigh the device before and after the test

• Touch the device to see if it feels cold

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A group of students builds a cooler using different materials and tests how long it keeps a can of soda cold. They record the temperature every 10 minutes. What is the best way to determine which material works best?

• Use the material that feels the coldest to touch

• Choose the material that keeps the soda at the lowest temperature for the longest time

• Pick the material that is the cheapest

• Select the material that is the lightest

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Imagine you want to design a lunchbox that keeps food warm until lunchtime. Which scientific principle would you apply to minimize thermal energy transfer, and how would you use it in your design?

• Use conduction by adding metal layers

• Use insulation to trap air and reduce heat loss

• Use radiation by painting the box black

• Use convection by adding fans

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A student wants to test two different designs for a device that keeps water cold. What is the most reliable way to compare the effectiveness of the two designs?

• Ask classmates which design looks better

• Measure the temperature of the water in each device after the same amount of time

• Use different amounts of water in each device

• Test one device in the morning and the other in the afternoon

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