Insulation is an important part of the building process; we insulate our homes, schools and businesses to conserve energy. Insulation helps to help us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Students are asked to design an insulating box, one that would keep ice cubes from melting. Each group was given these materials:

Question

~ Cardboard box
~Gallon plastic ziplock bag
~Roll of tape
~Gram balance
Groups were also provided with an assortment of insulation panels:
~cardboard
~styrofoam
~cotton batting
~6 sheets of newspaper
~bubble wrap
Each group added ice cubes to the plastic bag until they had measured 300 grams of ice. The bag and ice were placed inside the cardboard box and then insulation panels were taped on all six sides. The students left the boxes, untouched and closed, over night.

The next morning, each group opened their containers. Any water found in the plastic bag was poured into a beaker and the remaining ice cubes were placed on the balance. The students' results can be seen here:

Based on the data in the chart above, which material would be your first choice to use in order to prevent heat transfer and keep the ice cold?

(1 point)
Responses

cardboard
cardboard

styrofoam
styrofoam

bubble wrap
bubble wrap

newspaper
newspaper

cotton batting
cotton batting
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Answer 1

Based on the properties of the materials provided, styrofoam would likely be the best choice for preventing heat transfer and keeping the ice cold. Styrofoam has excellent insulation properties due to its air-filled structure, which significantly reduces heat transfer. Although each material may have varying degrees of effectiveness, styrofoam is widely recognized for its ability to insulate against temperature changes, making it an ideal selection for this experiment.