Skink wrote:harryk wrote:I've derived an equation that accounts for initial temp, ambient temp, volume of water, and time. All in one single equation that is based on a value taken from only one calibration plot. Though I'm too selfish to post it

That's impressive (and seriously hardcore

).
Actually, if the thermos is properly design to eliminate heat conduction by reducing the contact area between the beaker and the thermos body, mitigate radiation by using reflective material, like foil, then the main heat loss mechanism is convection, which behaves as dq = hc A dT. Then, the thermal plot after the initial fast cooling by exchange with the cold beaker and inner air by 10-15 C will become weak exponential, almost linear, especially after the 20 minutes when delta T is reduced.
If students were allowed to cover the stubborn hole, the heat retention improves quite a bit.
Apparently, it's not allowed, though, even the rules are ambiguous on that.