PRACTICAL Name:

28 Heat loss from a model body

It is possible to represent the body of a human by a model made
up of a boiling tube two-thirds filled with water. If the temperature
of the water is raised, and a temperature gradient is established
between the tube contents and the surroundings, it is possible to
investigate heat loss from the body. To ensure measurable changes,
this investigation requires that you pre-heat the contents of the tube
to boiling point and construct cooling curves to demonstrate heat
loss over a fifteen minute period.

You need:
■ 3 boiling tubes ■ 2 squares of aluminium foil, each a little
■ 210 to 1110 °C thermometer (1 cm all round) larger than the pieces of denim
■ 1 dm3 beaker ■ stop-watch
■ 2 retort stands with clamps ■ test tube rack
■ Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze, heat resistant mat ■ wash bottle
■ test tube holder ■ hair drier
■ 2 squares of denim cloth, each large enough to wrap
around the boiling tube to give a single layer of material

Method
1 Assemble the apparatus as described in the introductory
paragraph, and construct a cooling curve for the uncovered
boiling tube. Now use the apparatus to investigate the statement
that:
“Denim jeans are adequate for a low level stroll, but wet denim on
a windy hillside represents a potentially lethal combination”
2 Present your results in a suitable table. Plot a graph of your
results.
3 Comment on the significance of your results.
4 List any major sources of error, and suggest improvements
which might be made to the experimental technique.
5 Suggest extensions of the investigation which you might make,
using the same or very similar apparatus.

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