LAB #3: INSULATION – KEEPING HEAT OUT

STEP 1: QUESTION
Science always begins with a question. The question MUST relate to the experiment
you are conducting and to the hypothesis. You MUST be answering the question by
doing the experiment.
Write your question here:

STEP 2: HYPOTHESIS
Once you have a good question, it’s time to think about how the
experiment will be set up and conducted. This starts with making a prediction
and writing a hypothesis.

A hypothesis uses the form If… Then… Because… and turns your prediction into a
statement that directly relates to the design of your experiment. Here’s the hypothesis
we will use for this experiment.

If

Then

Because

A few notes on writing a hypothesis: 1. It makes a prediction about what will

happen. 2. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOUR HYPOTHESIS IS CORRECT! There is
just as much to learn from an incorrect prediction as there is in a correct one. 3. In
the because part of the hypothesis, it is a good idea to incorporate some of your past
experience. This shows your ability to support your prediction with some good
thinking.

STEP 3: VARIABLES
All experiments include three types of variables. Variables are factors (or parts) that
Can be changed in an experiment.

Manipulated variable – the ONE factor that you change in an experiment. This is very
important!
Write the manipulated variable in this experiment here:
Controlled variable(s) – factors that must stay the same throughout the experiment.
There is usually more than one.
Write the controlled variables in this experiment here:

Responding variable – This is what you measure in an experiment. This could be

distance, volume, weight, mass, change in color, etc…
Write the responding variable in this experiment here:

STEP 4: MATERIALS
• three identical soda cans
• three Celsius thermometers
• timer to measure minutes
• insulating materials (Ex.fiberglass, wool, Styrofoam, newspaper, aluminum foil)
• rubber bands
• metric ruler
• safety glasses
• clothes pins (to hold thermometer up)
• heat source Plan A:_____________________ Plan B:___________________

OUR TWO INSULATING MATERIALS ARE:______________ and _____________

STEP 5: PROCEDURE (step by step instructions)

1. Remove the thermometers and insulation and empty the cans.

2. Replace the same insulation and the thermometers. Position them just as you did in
Part 1.

3. Place each can the same distance (about 15 cm) from the heat source.

4. Label the first two columns of Data Table 2 in the same way as you labeled Data
Table 1.

5. Read and record in Data Table 2 the temperature of each can.

6. Turn on the heat source. Record the temperature in each can every minute for 15
minutes.

7. Turn off the heat source. On Graph 2, plot your data for each can. Be sure to label
each line.
STEP 6: DATA & OBSERVATIONS
This is simply an organized place to record your observations / measurements (also
known as the responding variable).

Data Table #2
Temperature ºC
Time Naked can Insulator #1 Insulator #2
(minutes) Can Can
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
STEP 7: GRAPH
Create a graph to show your data from the 3 cans. Include a key to help identify which
line represents which can.

Graph 2

Keeping the Heat Out

STEP 8: CONCLUSION
We will work on this together, but here’s a general checklist to writing a conclusion.

Paragraph 1: Restate your hypothesis and explain why it was right or wrong.

_____ Is your hypothesis clearly restated?

_____ Did I indicate whether it was right or wrong?
_____ Have I explained why I was right or wrong?
_____ Have I explained what I understand about insulation?

Paragraph 2: Discuss your data and observations (table & observations).

Some sentences to help you out:

The can with the ******** insulation dropped the least, so it was a better insulator.

The can with the ******** insulation dropped the most so it was a poor insulator.

_____ What was the difference in temperatures between the three cans?
_____ Why was there a difference? How do your graph and observations help
to further explain insulation?

Paragraph 3: Human Error – where might you have had some human error in your
experiment? How would that have affected your results?

_____ At least 1-2 human errors that could have affected results
_____ An explanation for how and why each of these errors could have
affected your results

**Think about real-world applications of insulation – you will need to make these
connections in the FINAL conclusion.