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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

In this lesson you are going to learn about conductors and insulators. Can you remember what

these words mean?

Hmmm and insulators are like the cotton wool

in your head!

Conductors? Don’t they collect tickets on the bus?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

We are going to make a container that heats water using the Sun.

Energy from the Sun will need to be transferred to the water. Then you can

use the warm water to wash your hands.

That sounds like fun but what does TRANSFER

mean?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

At home energy is TRANSFERRED in lots of ways. Look at this saucepan where potatoes are being boiled.

Heat energy is being transferred from the electric ring to the glass hob.

Heat energy is being transferred from the glass hob to the metal saucepan.

Heat energy is being transferred from the metal saucepan to the water and potatoes.

Then can I transfer the potatoes from the pan

to my stomach?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

Radiator

gas water heater

Here is another example. What do you think is going on?

1. Heat energy from burning gas in the heater is transferred to w _ _ _ _.

2. Heat energy from the hot w _ _ _ _ is transferred to the metal r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

3. Heat energy from the metal r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is transferred to the r _ _ _ .

radiator

room

a t e r

a t e ra d i a t o r

a d i a t o r o o m

12

3

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

What do we call things that allow heat energy to transfer easily?

Metal hob

Solid fuel stove

They are called conductors.

The heat energy is transferred from the burning fuel, to the metal hob, to the metal saucepan and kettle and then to the water. Heat energy is being transferred from the water to the spoon in the saucepan too.

Good conductors feel cold when there is no source of heat. They

don’t retain heat but let it be transferred away.

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

Hats, coats, gloves and scarves are all insulators. They make it difficult for heat energy to be transferred from your body to the cold air, so they keep you warm.

Sometimes we don’t want heat to be transferred, we want to keep the heat in.

What do you know about all these things?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

Tea cosy, burger box and thermos flask all prevent the transfer of heat.

Look at these things. These are insulators too.

What do they do?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

glass

Polystyrene cup

Metalmug

Potterymug

Plastic mug

Paper cup

Clue

Look at these containers. They will be filled with hot water.Which ones do you think are conductors that will allow the transfer of heat energy most easily?

How will I know which containers conduct heat energy most easily?

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

ConductorsFeel cold to touch.

InsulatorsDo not feel cold to touch.

Metal scissors Cotton T shirt

Things I am not sure about

Here is a fun activity. Use your fingers to find out which materials are good conductors and which are good insulators. Use a table like this one.

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Thermal Insulators and Conductors

A. clear sheet of glass

B. dark coloured metal

C. metal water pipes

D. thick board, such as polystyrene

Materials that conduct or insulate are important parts of solar thermal collectors that heat water using the Sun’s energy.

Look at this diagram of a solar thermal collector.

Which parts are conductors and which are insulators?