Keep the Heat B/Thermodynamics C

[iwonder]

Remember that almost all of the insulating 'power' will come from the material you put between the box and the beaker, not the box itself. Most boxes I've seen are made out of thin plywood or cardboard.

[135scioly]

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

I just thought that the type of wood might matter, because some woods are more insulating then others... But I guess it doesn't really matter?

Remember that almost all of the insulating 'power' will come from the material you put between the box and the beaker, not the box itself. Most boxes I've seen are made out of thin plywood or cardboard.

Ok, well at least I won't have that dilemma anymore!

[swozyiland]

awesome

[135scioly]

I just read that the beaker should be 2.5 cm from the hole, but how would you do that if your box is 15 cm? I was thinking about making a shelf... Is anyone doing something else?

[harryk]

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

I just thought that the type of wood might matter, because some woods are more insulating then others... But I guess it doesn't really matter?

Well, it does matter somewhat, you don't want to make it out of metal or hardwood. But for the purposes of comparing things like cardboard and balsa woods, you really won't find a measurable difference.

[135scioly]

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

I just thought that the type of wood might matter, because some woods are more insulating then others... But I guess it doesn't really matter?

Well, it does matter somewhat, you don't want to make it out of metal or hardwood. But for the purposes of comparing things like cardboard and balsa woods, you really won't find a measurable difference.

But isn't balsa a hardwood?

[retired1]

Balsa can be a very soft wood. It can also be about as hard a pine which is also a soft wood.

For my two cents. you want the contact area to be as small as possible and the weight of material that can absorb heat to also be as small as possible.

If you can kill the convection currents, air is the best insulator available.

[135scioly]

Balsa can be a very soft wood. It can also be about as hard a pine which is also a soft wood.

For my two cents. you want the contact area to be as small as possible and the weight of material that can absorb heat to also be as small as possible.

If you can kill the convection currents, air is the best insulator available.

So you meant the contact area of the wood to the beaker? And also, would a box within a box be a good insulator, because that's what we are planning to do, but has anyone tested this out? This would increase the weight of the device...so maybe it's not as good retired1?

[DivineBbbbbeast]

Balsa can be a very soft wood. It can also be about as hard a pine which is also a soft wood.

For my two cents. you want the contact area to be as small as possible and the weight of material that can absorb heat to also be as small as possible.

If you can kill the convection currents, air is the best insulator available.

So you meant the contact area of the wood to the beaker? And also, would a box within a box be a good insulator, because that's what we are planning to do, but has anyone tested this out? This would increase the weight of the device...so maybe it's not as good retired1?

That completely depends. I did that last year, in order to protect the inside box with my insulation, in case of a rough busride. I liked the box-ception idea because it allows for versatility in what insulation you can stuff inside, and I could have the outer layer help keep the inside warmer during bus trips in the winter.

[135scioly]

Just curious, but how did the device do at competition if you don't mind me asking...