2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Title Page
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Comparing the Insulation of Two Types of
Cups Using Hot Water
Jared Lewis
Physical Science, Block 1
Mr. Lewis
1/20/15
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Introduction
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Problem:
In this lab we attempt to determine how the type of material a cup is made of can affect how
well it insulates water temperature. Insulation is an important part of our lives. For example
our hands are protected from a hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup. We also use insulation to keep
our buildings warm in the winter. Therefore it is important to know what materials are best for
these important jobs.
We throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups every year (Environment Action
Association, 2011). It would be good for companies like Dunkin Donuts to know if this material
works better than other materials.
Builders and homeowners would also want to know more about the best insulation options for
their homes and buildings. NAIMA is a group of companies that manufacture different types of
insulation. Organizations like NAIMA could use this information to help companies make the
best insulation possible for builders and homeowners. (NAIMA, 2010)
(On Citation Page:)
Environment Action Association. (2011). Save a cup, save the earth . Retrieved from
http://www.environmentaa.org/whatwedo/whatwedo.php?dir=save_a_cup
NAIMA. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.naima.org/about-naima/insulation-testingmaterials-standards.html
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 3 POINTS
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Introduction
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Hypothesis:
If we use a Styrofoam cup then it will keep the temperature of the water higher than if we use a
glass cup or metal cup.
We say this because Styrofoam is used by companies like Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds. It is
also used to insulate buildings with something called “foam board insulation” (US Department of
Energy, 2011) Since this material is used for hot drinks and insulating houses, we feel it will
keep the temperature of the water the highest.
(On Citation Page:)
US Department of Energy. (2011). Energy savers. Retrieved from
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11620
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 2 POINTS
Adding one more reference would make it 3 points
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Variables
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Variables:
Independent Variable: Type of cup (material the cup is made from. We will test Styrofoam,
glass and metal.
Dependent Variable: The temperature of the water measured after 10 minutes in each type of
cup.
Control Variables (Constants):
1. Temperature of water used at start of experiment
2. Amount of water put into each cup
3. Length of time water is in each cup
4. Volume (size) of each cup
5. Lid used to cover the top of each cup
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 4 POINTS
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Materials
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Materials:
1 Styrofoam cup (0.3 L)
1 glass cup (0.3 L)
1 metal cup (0.3 L)
0.3 L of water for each cup. Water should be 80C at start.
3 thermometers
3 foam lids for cups
1 timer
Hot plate and 1 L beaker to heat water in
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 3 POINTS
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Procedure
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Procedure:
1. On a hot plate, heat 1 L of water in a beaker. Heat until the temperature reaches 80C.
2. Pour 0.3 L of water into each or the 3 cups
3. As quickly as possible cover the cups with foam lids.
4. Push a thermometer into each cup.
5. Record the starting temperature (time 0) for each cup
6. Start the timer.
7. Record the temperature of each cup every 30 seconds.
8. Continue to record temperatures for 10 minutes.
9. Pour out water from cups and repeat steps 1-8 for two more trials.
10. Properly clean up and dispose of any waste.
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 3 POINTS
Adding a labeled drawing or picture of your lab set up would make it worth 4 points
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Data
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Data:
Data Table 1: Temperature of Water in 3 Different Cups
Time
(min)
Styrofoam (Temp in C)
T1
T2
T3
Avg
80
80
80
80
79
79
79
79
78
78
79
78
78
77
78
78
77
77
77
77
76
77
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
T1
80
79
77
76
73
72
70
69
66
65
62
Glass (Temp in C)
T2
T3
Avg
80
80
80
79
79
79
77
77
77
76
76
76
73
73
73
72
72
72
70
70
70
69
69
69
66
66
66
65
63
64
63
60
62
T1
80
77
74
71
68
67
65
63
60
57
54
Metal (Temp in C)
T2
T3
Avg
80
80
80
76
77
77
74
74
74
71
71
71
68
69
68
67
67
67
64
65
65
63
63
63
58
61
60
55
56
56
53
52
53
Graph 1: Comparing Average Water Temperture in
Graph 1: Comparing Water Temperature
OverTypes
Time for Three Types of Cups
Different Cup
Temperature (C)
90
80
Styrofoam
70
Glass
60
Metal
50
40
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Time (min)
The data show the temperature remained highest in the Styrofoam (average of 75 C after 10
minutes). This represents only a 5 C drop in temperature. In glass, the water temperature
dropped on average to 62 C. This is an 18 C drop. It dropped on average to 53 C in metal, which
is a 27 C drop.
The temperature change was noticeable within one minute for all three cups. However, there
was a much faster decline in temperature in the metal cup.
The data were very consistent in all of the trials performed.
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 4 POINTS
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Conclusion
Based upon a lab testing how well two types of cups can insulate the
temperature of water
Conclusion:
In this lab, we attempted to determine which type of cup – Styrofoam, glass, or metal – could
insulate hot water. Our hypothesis stated that the Styrofoam cup would insulate the best.
Based on the data collected, our hypothesis is supported. The Styrofoam did insulate the best.
In looking at the data, the temperature of the water in Styrofoam changed only 5 C. The water
in glass dropped 18 C and the water in metal dropped 27 C. The less the water temperature
changes, the better an insulator it must be. Additionally, the data show that the temperature
change begins very quickly in glass and metal. For example after only 3 minutes, the water
temperature already dropped 4 C in glass and 9 C in metal. Overall the drop in temperature is
consistent in all three cups. You can see this in the graph (graph 1), each cup showing a fairly
straight line that slopes down.
We performed three trials for each type of cup. In all cases, the various trials were very
consistent. There are no major outliers in the data. For example, the final temperature was 75
C in each trial with Styrofoam. The glass and metal final temperatures were not quite as
consistent. The final glass temperatures ranged from 60 to 63 C. The final metal temperatures
ranged from 52 to 54 C. These are not very large differences, but we still wonder why there was
any difference at all. Overall, we feel confident in our data.
However, there are some possible errors, which, if fixed could improve our trust in the data. For
example, the lid did not fit tightly on each cup. A better designed lid would improve the
experiment. In addition, we did not take the room temperature into consideration. If we
repeated the experiment, we would be sure to control and measure the room temperature.
A future study that could improve this lab would be to re-perform the lab using a newly
designed lid and constant room temperature. In addition, we would like to test Styrofoam cups
with different thicknesses to see how that impacts the insulation. Other types of materials
could also be tested to compare results.
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 4 POINTS
2/16/2016
Physical Science – Mr. Lewis
Name_________________
Example Citation Page
Environment Action Association. (2011). Save a cup, save the earth . Retrieved from
http://www.environmentaa.org/whatwedo/whatwedo.php?dir=save_a_cup
NAIMA. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.naima.org/about-naima/insulation-testingmaterials-standards.html
US Department of Energy. (2011). Energy savers. Retrieved from
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11620
THIS EXAMPLE WOULD BE WORTH 4 POINTS
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