Keep the Heat B/Thermodynamics C

[retired1]

Good points. last year we had 3 layers of cardboard/paper inside a 15cm diameter cardboard tube with 3 elevations. This year, we are going to all plastic except for a wood base. Yes, the contact with the beaker needs to be as small as is practical. Last year we used 1/8" pine with a chamfer to a knife edge at the point of contact. This year, we are doing several things different. If I can ever get my data logger to work, we will make comparisons. The big problem is making a simple device to kill the convection currents. With this design, we are not worried about other heat losses. There will be heat losses that we can not control, but estimating the final temperature is more important for the score, so consistency is the important part.

[135scioly]

So we can use plastic? So we could just technically use a plastic cube instead of wood? As for beaker-wood contact, we are having a "shelf" inside of the second box which will allow the beaker to be the required 2.5 cm below the hole. This shelf will most likely be cardboard with paper glued to it. There shouldn't be any other contact between the beaker and the wood.

And are fiberglass strands allowed this year?

[DivineBbbbbeast]

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

As for my box, well, let's say it was a little bit above average... i would share my results, but I don't exactly have them on me, they're on a different laptop, and it was 20x20x20 last yr, so it's quite different this yr. You dont have much room for box-ception. I ditched the box-ception idea this year cuz I dont want to buy more wood, and cuz my new box is much easier to build.

[retired1]

We ditched the "cube" early last year and went for cylinder shape. If you go the plastic route, it is a lot easier to find appropriate sizes than with cubes.
Fiberglass strands should be allowed. If it came from something sold as an insulator, then it would be no.

[135scioly]

And I know this isn't the place for official clarifications, but are we allowed to use 100% wool blankets or socks, or are they considered commercial insulation?

[chalker]

And I know this isn't the place for official clarifications, but are we allowed to use 100% wool blankets or socks, or are they considered commercial insulation?

When wondering whether X is commercial insulation, I suggest asking yourself whether someone would buy X for the main purpose of keeping something warm (or cold). If so, it's likely commercial insulation.

[emmmerz]

we had the same question!!!!!!!!!

[Skink]

In addition to what chalker said, if you have to ask, I would err on the safe side and not include whatever material you're uncertain about. There are enough materials available to use where I would not risk chancing an interpretation war with a Supervisor on whether or not the purpose of socks is to keep something warm. The Supervisor will win nine or more times out of ten.

[Cheesy Pie]

What about aerogel? It's this glass-like substance that is extremely light and an amazing insulator.

[bearasauras]

I think that one is answered as a FAQ: http://www.soinc.org/node/1073