Conduction, Convection and Radiation
Materials:
- 12 small pieces of plywood, each piece should be square about 6x6 inches
- Styrofoam/ building insulation cut in the same dimensions as the plywood
- Metalized bubble wrap
- Wood glue
- Ice cubes
- Toothpicks
- Water
- Ice tray
- Clock
- Paper towels
- Plate
Instructions:
1. Using the wood glue, glue together five of the plywood pieces so you create a box. The 6th piece will be the “lid” of the box. Do this for all the plywood. You should have two boxes and two lids.
2. In one box, line the five inner sides with Styrofoam or building insulation, securing it in place with wood glue. Line the lid as well.
3. In the other box, line the five inner sides with the metalized bubble wrap. Line the lid as well.
4. Place the boxes out in the sun.
5. Take two ice cubes and place them in the boxes, but both towards a corner of their respective boxes. Mark the time and cover the boxes with the lids. At the same time, put a plate beside the boxes with a cube of ice on the plate.
6. Check on your ice every ten minutes. Which cube is melting faster? The one with the Styrofoam insulation, the one with the metalized bubble wrap or the one on the plate? Take note of the time that the ice cubes completely melt, and which one was first to melt completely.
