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10/15/12

Period 6

Heat Transfer Inquiry Lab


I.

Problem Statement:
The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate the three ways of heat transfer with the
given materials. We will be given two cups, one filled with boiling water, and the other
one will be filled with cool water. We will then place one end of a heat transfer bar in
each container of water. We will close the containers with insulated tops and place
thermometers in each container to measure the temperature of the water. The independent
variable is the method of heat transfer that we want to find in the given setup and the
dependent variable is whether the method of heat transfer occurs or not. In science class,
we are studying phase changes, insulators and conductors, and the three methods heat
transfer, radiation, convection, and conduction, which is why, is lab is being performed.
This lab has applications in the field of home heating because to heat a house, one must
have an understanding of heat transfer and insulation.
II.

Hypothesis:
If we set up the given materials in the way we were instructed to, (with two
covered cups each filled with water of different temperatures and a heat transfer bar with
each of its ends in the two different cups of water) then all methods of heat transfer,
radiation, conduction, and convection, will occur because heat will initially be conducted
from the hotter water to the heat transfer. Then, some of the heat will be radiated from
the heat transfer bar to the surrounding air, and the heat from the heat transfer bar will
start a convection cell in the container with cooler water.
III.

Experimental Design
Materials List:
1 heat transfer bar
2 thermometers
1 styrofoam cup (filled with cold water)
1 styrofoam cup (filled with hot water)
2 insulated lids
Procedures:
1. Gather Materials
2. Note the temperature of the heat transfer bar with your finger.
3. Fill one Styrofoam cup with cold water and fill the other one with warmer water.
4. Place each end of the heat transfer bar in one of the slots in the insulated lids.
Place a thermometer in each of the available slots. (Make sure the thermometer
does not touch the heat transfer bar.)
5. Place the lids over the containers so that the ends of the heat transfer bar and the
ends of the thermometers are submerged in the water.
6. Take measurements of the temperature of the water in the cups at one-minute
intervals.
7. Place your hand an inch over the heat transfer bar and note the temperature of
air surrounding it at five-minute intervals.

8. Compare the temperature of the air over the heat transfer bar with room
temperature
9. Finish taking measurements of the temperature of the water whenever you feel
you have enough information.
10. Feel the heat transfer bar and note the change in temperature from the initial
measurement.
11. Organize results in a data table and draw conclusions from your gathered data.
12. Put away materials and clean up any mess you created.
Sketch:

IV. Experimental Results and Analysis


Minute #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Temperature of
cool water (C)
3
5
5
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
11
11
12
12

Temperature of
warm water (C)
37
36
36
35
34
34
33
33
32
32
32
32
32
31
31
30
30
30
30
30

The temperature of the bar after


the experiment was significantly
warmer than the temperature
before the bar was placed in the
warm and cold water.
The air above the bar was the
same as the temperature of the
air throughout the room. During
the experiment, the air directly
above the bar grew warmer as
time passed. This air was
notably warmer than room
temperature. The air above the
bar was the warmest at minute
25.

21
22
23
24
25

12
12
12
13
13

30
29
29
28
28

Temperature of Water (C) Over Time


40

35

30

25

20
Temperature of cool water (C)
15

10

Temperature (C)

Temperature of warm water (C)

Time (Minutes)

V. Conclusion
After careful analysis of the data in Section IV of this report, it can be concluded that all
the methods of heat transfer, radiation, convection, and conduction, occurred during the
experiment. The heat from the warm water was transferred to the heat transfer bar
through conduction. Because of this, heat was released into the air in the form of
radiation. This was demonstrated by comparing the air above the heat transfer bar with
the regular room temperature. We found that the air was hotter above the bar, which
confirms the presence of radiation. The increase of the thermometers temperature
demonstrated convection because the heat from the heat transfer bar was spread
throughout the cold water through convection. Without convection, the thermometers
temperature wouldnt increase.
These conclusions tie into the purpose of this lab, which was to demonstrate the three
methods of heat transfer with two covered cups, each filled with water of different
temperatures, and a heat transfer bar with each of its ends in the two cups. The original
hypothesis was that all the methods of heat transfer would occur if we set up the materials
in the way we were instructed to. This hypothesis was correct. (for full hypothesis, see
section II)
VI. Comments on Validity
If there were any improper readings, they might have been caused by touching the heat
transfer bar or the water, because touching the materials would either have removed or

added heat. However, all of our readings seem to be reasonably accurate even though
several errors might have been present. If we had had more time in class to gather
results, our results would have shown what would happen to the temperature of the water
in more depth. Even though we had no way to measure it, our class previously predicted
that the temperatures would never be the same, but would stop increasing or decreasing
significantly around room temperature. Theoretically, this experiment should have been
done with cups and lids that would let no heat in or out, but this would have been
extremely hard to do.
This lab could be improved by giving students more time in class to perform their
experiments. It also could be improved by putting the water into lids and cups that were
better insulated to that no heat would escape or be added. In addition, it could have been
improved by using hotter water. This would have made the change in temperature more
drastic and would have made it easier to demonstrate radiation because not much heat
was being radiated from the heat transfer bar. It would have increased had we used
warmer water.

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