Name
Class
Date
The “Butter” Conductor Activity
Background information: Thermal energy, in the form of heat, always flows from hot to cold.
Materials that allow heat to flow easily are called conductors. Conductors allow heat to travel
because their molecules are close together so the heat is easily transferred from one molecule
to the next. Metals are examples of good heat conductors. Materials that do not allow heat to
flow easily are called insulators. Insulators usually have molecules that are far apart so the
transfer of heat from one molecule to the next is difficult. Wood and plastic are examples of
good insulators.
Objective: to determine which materials are the best conductors, and which are the best
insulators.
Materials:
Directions:
1. Gather the materials.
2. Pour about 100 mL of hot water into the beaker.
3. Place one pat of butter on the end of each of the “rods”.
4. Place each rod into the beaker with the butter end up and the other end down into the
water. Be sure that each rod rests against the side of the beaker and not against another
one of the rods.
5. Record the starting time.
6. Observe each of the rods, carefully watching the butter on the end, and record the time
each one takes for the butter to melt and fall off the rod.
7. Fill in the data table and answer the questions.
Data:
“Rod” Material
Starting time Ending time Time to melt Insulator or conductor
(Circle one)
.
insulator
conductor
insulator
conductor
insulator
conductor
insulator
conductor
insulator
conductor
insulator
conductor
Questions:
1. Based on your data above, which material is the best insulator?
Explain
why you think this material is the best insulator.
2. Based on your data above, which material is the best conductor?
why you think this material is the best conductor.
Explain
3. How would you design a pot for heating things up fast but needs to be held in your bare
hand?