Edward W. Gunn

Physical Science

Grade Eight

Blairs Middle School

Standards of Learning (SOL)

PS.1 & PS.7 – An Insulated Cola Bottle

ObjectivesIn this experiment, the student will

investigate the insulating properties of aluminum foil, newspaper, and styrofoam

use a CBL System, and two temperature probes to measure temperature

determine change in temperature, Δt make a bar graph of Δt values

compare the effectiveness of different insulation materials

build a well-insulated cola bottle

MATERIALS

CBL System 2 Vernier Temperature

Probes 2 Vernier Adapter

Cables 2 Slit Stoppers

Glass Bottle Aluminum Covered

Glass Bottle Newspaper Covered

Glass Bottle Styrofoam-covered

Glass Bottle Hot Water

PROCEDUREPart I – Investigating Insulation

1. Obtain and wear goggles. 2. Get 4 identical cola bottles. Wrap one with a layer of

aluminum foil (shiny side in), one with newspaper, and a third one with styrofoam or another plastic material. One of the four bottles will remain unwrapped.

3. Plug adapter cables into channels 1 and 2 of the CBL System. Then plug probe 1 into the adapter in channel 1 of the CBL and probe 2 into the adapter in channel 2.

4. Turn on the CBL Unit. Press PRGM and select PHYSCI. Press enter, then press enter again to go to the main menu.

PROCEDURE continued

5. Set up the CBL for two temperature probes and two temperature calibrations. Select set up probes from the main menu. Enter “2” as the number of probes. Select TEMPERATURE from the select probe

menu. Enter “1” as the channel number. Select USED STORED from the calibration

menu.

PROCEDURE continued

6. Set up the CBL for data collection. Select COLLECT DATA from the main menu. Select TIME GRAPH from the data collection

menu. Enter “15” as the time between samples in

seconds. Enter “80” as the number of samples (the CBL

will collect data for a total of 20 minutes).

PROCEDURE continued

Enter “30” as the minimum temperature. Enter “50” as the maximum temperature. Enter “5” as the temperature increment.

7. Get 2 slit stoppers that properly fit your bottles. Carefully fit the stoppers onto the probes.

PROCEDURE continued

8. Fill the uncovered bottle and the aluminum-covered bottle with hot water, allowing just enough space for the stoppers. Be careful not to get the insulation materials wet. A good way to fill the insulated bottles and keep their insulation dry is to first completely fill the uncovered bottle and then use a funnel to transfer its contents to an insulated bottle.

PROCEDURE continued

9. Collecting Data Insert the slit stoppers and probes into the

proper bottles. Probe 1 – uncovered bottle Probe 2 – aluminum-covered bottle Allow the temperature probes about 45 seconds to

warm to the temperature of the water. Press ENTER to begin data collection

PROCEDURE continued

10. To record your data when data collection is complete ( after 20 minutes): Press ENTER to display a graph of temperature

vs. time for probe 1. Use to examine the data points along the

curve. As you move the cursor right or left, the time (x) and the temperature (y) values of each data point are displayed below the graph.

PROCEDURE continued

Record the beginning (highest) temperature and final (lowest) temperature (round to the nearest 0.10C).

Press ENTER to get a graph of temperature vs. time for probe 2.

Use to examine the data points along the curve. Record the temperature range as you did for Probe

1.

PROCEDURE continued

Press ENTER, then choose yes to repeat the procedure for the newspaper-covered bottle and the styrofoam-covered bottle.

Note: It is important to begin with the hot water temperatures close to those in step 8.