Project Description:
Overview:
In this project, students design and build an insulated device that will retain the heat of approximately 100 ml of heated water in a standard (355 ml-12 oz) aluminum beverage can.
Specifics:
- Introduce this project by explaining the task to be accomplished
and the requirements of the device.
- The maximum dimensions of the device cannot exceed 30 cm in any
direction and the mass cannot exceed 500 grams.
- The can must be removable from the device and there must be
easy access to the interior of the device for easy loading, pouring, and rapid
temperature measurement of the water sample.
- There should be no free fiberglass. As a safety percaution,
all loose fiberglass must be covered so there is no chance of touching fiberglass
when loading and testing the water temperature in the device.
- Explain the testing procedure. The devices will be loaded with
hot water samples and an initial temperature measurement will be recorded. The
device will immediately be sealed and will not be reopened for 10 minutes. At
the end of the 10 minute interval a final temperature measurement will be
immediately taken and recorded. The grade will be determined by comparing the
temperature loss in the device to the temperature loss of water in an uninsulated can
that sits in the room for ten minutes.
Objectives/Standards:
The objective of this project is to expose students to concepts of heat transfer and thermodynamics.
Timeline:
The majority of the work should be completed out of class (6-8 weeks). One class period should be used to introduce the activity. Two class periods will be needed to test the devices. A practice/workshop day is highly recommended halfway through the project.
Materials:
Construction Materials:
The students should supply materials to fit their own design. Some materials they may wish to have are the following:
- Fiberglass insulation, styrofoam, bubble wrap, cellulose/newspaper, wool material, etc...
- 12 oz aluminum can
Testing Materials:
- Thermometer-A high quality fast responding thermometer is recommended.
- Hot Water Source-A coffee percolator works well and holds a relatively constant temperature.
- Stopwatch
Assessment:
The assessment portion of this project will be based on three items:
- Quality and originality of design-A small portion of the student's
grade should be based on the overall quality of the finished device. This will
reward students who invest more time in planning, drawing, testing various
insulators, and building the project.
- Performance Score-Grades will be based on the change in temperature
that occurs in the 10 minute interval. This will be compared to the temperature
loss of an uninsulated can (Standard). The grading scale is based on a percent
loss calculated from a standard can of water on a per class basis.
Efficiency=(Temp. change of water in Device/ Temp. change of Standard) x 100
| A | 0-30% loss of heat |
| B+ | 31-37% loss of heat |
| B | 37-44% loss of heat |
| B- | 45-50% loss of heat |
| C+ | 51-59% loss of heat |
| C | 60-68% loss of heat |
| C- | 69-75% loss of heat |
| D | >75% loss of heat |
A spreadsheet is useful to calculate the efficiency of each device. [Sample Excel Spreadsheet]
- The paper-Each student's paper should be graded based on the the explanation of the device
and how the device works. Specific questions about the science behind the Keep The Heat Device should be
included in the paper. (Sample paper template.)
