Keep the Heat B/Thermodynamics C

[Mr Sarcastic]

Could balsa wood be considered commercial insulation?

[Skink]

Could balsa wood be considered commercial insulation?

No. Read the clarification a few posts up. The purpose of balsa is not trapping heat. Even without the clarification, I don't see any reasonable supervisor trying that one.

[EllaSci]

Hey-
So just wondering...during the construction of the box, can we use glue that isn't expandable (or are all glues expandable?)

Thanks,

EllaSci and team

That is a very interesting question. I would put gorilla glue in that category and would have to think twice about epoxy. I personally do not plan on our teams using either. This event is so wide open this year that there is no sense in taking interpretation risks. I would send in a rules clarification asking if any glues are considered expanding.

So...That means that I CAN use something like a hot glue gun, in your opinion?

[foreverphysics]

Yes. It's not commercially made for insulating purposes, therefore it's fine.

[135scioly]

Hi, this is my first year doing Thermodynamics and I was just wondering if we could do a shape besides a box... Like a circle or pyramid, and if anyone has done this before with better results than a cube?

[chalker]

Hi, this is my first year doing Thermodynamics and I was just wondering if we could do a shape besides a box... Like a circle or pyramid, and if anyone has done this before with better results than a cube?

General Rule #2 applies to most questions like this: http://soinc.org/ethics_rules

[135scioly]

Hi, this is my first year doing Thermodynamics and I was just wondering if we could do a shape besides a box... Like a circle or pyramid, and if anyone has done this before with better results than a cube?

General Rule #2 applies to most questions like this: http://soinc.org/ethics_rules

So I guess that means it's allowed? Ok, thanks!

[arod129]

Just to make sure can we use cork material in the box??

[135scioly]

Just to make sure can we use cork material in the box??

Yes, I think some other people have asked that and the overall answer has been yes, so... I guess so!

Oh and also, does anyone know what kind of wood would be the best for this? I have heard about balsa wood, and I've also read that a more porous wood would be the best because it traps air (and I guess balsa wood is pretty porous)... But I have checked through the forum and googled what types of wood are best for insulating, and nothing is really helpful. I want to find a wood that I could compare with balsa. So any suggestions would be great, or if balsa is the best, that would be helpful to know too! Thanks!

[foreverphysics]

...why would you want to use balsa as an insulating material?
I use balsa wood--I just wrap cotton around it as well.