Define the Problem
Goals:
- Create an efficient insulation
- Work efficiently together
- Lose as little heat as possible
Generate Concepts
Brainstorming:
-foam
-cooler insulation
-denim
-tinfoil
-wool
-newspaper
-cotton
-felt
We chose to use felt, stuffed with cotton, and wrapped in tinfoil, because when we researched ideal insulation materials they were proven to be the most efficient. They were also proven to retain the most amount of heat, losing as little as possible.
-foam
-cooler insulation
-denim
-tinfoil
-wool
-newspaper
-cotton
-felt
We chose to use felt, stuffed with cotton, and wrapped in tinfoil, because when we researched ideal insulation materials they were proven to be the most efficient. They were also proven to retain the most amount of heat, losing as little as possible.
Develop a Solution
Construct and Test Prototype
Evaluate Solution
• Using the LoggePro lab equipment in the experiment was fairly easy. It is much easier to calculate the temperature change with the program then using a thermometer and manually recording the data.
• I really enjoyed thermodynamics unit. I was familiar with the equations and topic because I took chemistry last semester. Although it is tricky analyzing the questions once you have the values of the variables plug the values into the equations and solving is simple.
• Throughout this project we definitely should have managed our time better. We waited til the last minute to assemble our insulation/lid. If we were to do this project again we would create a thought out plan and begin building sooner.
• This project taught me teamwork, to trust in my partners and rely on them. We each balanced our parts and created an efficient insulation to retain the lamps heat.
• I really enjoyed thermodynamics unit. I was familiar with the equations and topic because I took chemistry last semester. Although it is tricky analyzing the questions once you have the values of the variables plug the values into the equations and solving is simple.
• Throughout this project we definitely should have managed our time better. We waited til the last minute to assemble our insulation/lid. If we were to do this project again we would create a thought out plan and begin building sooner.
• This project taught me teamwork, to trust in my partners and rely on them. We each balanced our parts and created an efficient insulation to retain the lamps heat.
Present a solution
Conclusion
- If we were to rebuild our insulation and make modifications i think we would need to use a denser material like cotton balls instead of the stuffing. I think this would trap more heat, also if we added more layers of tinfoil. Finally if we took more precise dimensions to make the lid fit sung over the top of the box, less heat would be able to escape.
- I think other groups had a higher Qnet because they had a stronger insulation, so they lost less air when the box was cooling. A smaller Qlost would make the Qnet value greater because Qgained − Qlost = Qnet. The higher the Qnet is the higher the amount of Energy retained by the insulation is.