Keep it hot or keep it cold

Question 1

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: aluminium (aluminum)?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)

Question 2

The water started at 70 °C. How many degrees did the cup with cotton cool down in 20 minutes?

Answer °C

Question 3

Why are saucepans made of metal but have plastic or wooden handles?

• A. Metal conducts heat to the food; the handle insulates your hand.
• B. Metal handles are too light.
• C. Plastic makes the pan heat faster.
• D. Wood is a good thermal conductor.

Question 4

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: plastic foam (polystyrene)?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)

Question 5

The water started at 70 °C. How many degrees did the cup with no wrap cool down in 20 minutes?

Answer °C

Question 6

Why do polar bears and penguins stay warm in freezing weather?

• A. Their bodies never lose any heat.
• B. They are made of metal.
• C. They make cold air warmer.
• D. Thick fur, feathers and fat are good thermal insulators.

Question 7

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: wool?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)

Question 8

Four cups of water at 70 °C were wrapped in different materials. The chart shows each temperature after 20 minutes. Which wrap was the best thermal insulator?

• A. no wrap
• B. paper
• C. cotton
• D. wool

Question 9

Why do polar bears and penguins stay warm in freezing weather?

• A. Their bodies never lose any heat.
• B. They make cold air warmer.
• C. They are made of metal.
• D. Thick fur, feathers and fat are good thermal insulators.

Question 10

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: wool?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)

Question 11

The water started at 70 °C. How many degrees did the cup with paper cool down in 20 minutes?

Answer °C

Question 12

Why do polar bears and penguins stay warm in freezing weather?

• A. Thick fur, feathers and fat are good thermal insulators.
• B. They are made of metal.
• C. They make cold air warmer.
• D. Their bodies never lose any heat.

Question 13

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: cork?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)

Question 14

Four cups of water at 70 °C were wrapped in different materials. The chart shows each temperature after 20 minutes. Which wrap was the best thermal insulator?

• A. no wrap
• B. paper
• C. cotton
• D. wool

Question 15

Why do polar bears and penguins stay warm in freezing weather?

• A. Their bodies never lose any heat.
• B. They are made of metal.
• C. They make cold air warmer.
• D. Thick fur, feathers and fat are good thermal insulators.

Question 16

Is this a thermal conductor or a thermal insulator: aluminium (aluminum)?

• A. thermal conductor (lets heat through easily)
• B. thermal insulator (slows heat down)