Insulation

Task 1: What is an insulator?

a) Fill in the gaps.
An is a material that allow heat to travel through it easily.

are usually insulators. Other examples of insulators would be vacuum

flasks, and coats.

does not non-metals insulator gloves

b) Fill in the gaps.

work by reducing the energy transfer by either reflecting or

decreasing and convection.

conduction insulators radiation

c) Draw a diagram to show an insulator reducing energy transfer.

Task 2: Uses of insulation

a) Circle the insulators.

gloves
flask coat
window

rubber

copper pipe
air blanket

wall insulation
coin
metal spoon
Name __________________________ Science Insulation
b) Why should you use a wooden spoon instead of a metal spoon when stirring a hot pot of
food?

c) Why would I be better to use a ceramic mug over a metal mug to keep my hot chocolate
warm?

d) Why would a snowman with a coat take longer to melt than a snowman without a coat?

Task 3: Insulation in the home

a) Design a house with insulation. Label the different parts of the house with the insulation
you have chosen to use and explain how the insulation helps to keep the house warm.

b) Look at the table below. If you had £1,000 to spend on insulation, which options would you
choose and why? Use values in your explanation.

Insulation type Approximate cost Approximate yearly Approximate

(£) saving (£) payback time

Loft insulation 300 160 2 years

Cavity wall insulation 475 170 3 years

Floor insulation 600 50 12 years

Double glazing 4,000 100 40 years

Science Insulation
 Answers
Insulation

Task 1: What is an insulator?

a) Fill in the gaps.
An insulator is a material that does not allow heat to travel through it easily.

Non-metals are usually insulators. Other examples of insulators would be vacuum

flasks, gloves and coats.

does not non-metals insulator gloves

b) Fill in the gaps.

Insulators work by reducing the energy transfer by either reflecting radiation or

decreasing conduction and convection.

conduction insulators radiation

c) Draw a diagram to show an insulator reducing energy transfer.

Task 2: Uses of insulation

a) Circle the insulators.

gloves
flask coat
window

rubber

copper pipe
air blanket

wall insulation
coin
metal spoon
Name __________________________ Science Insulation
 Answers
b) Why should you use a wooden spoon instead of a metal spoon when stirring a hot pot of
food?

Model answer: Wood is an insulator and therefore would not allow the heat to transfer to your
hand.
c) Why would I be better to use a ceramic mug over a metal mug to keep my hot chocolate
warm?

Model answer: Ceramic is an insulator and metal is a conductor. Therefore, ceramic would not allow
the heat to transfer easily.

d) Why would a snowman with a coat take longer to melt than a snowman without a coat?

Model answer: The coat acts as an insulator, keeping the snowman with the coat cooler for longer.

Task 3: Insulation in the home

a) Design a house with insulation. Label the different parts of the house with the insulation
you have chosen to use and explain how the insulation helps to keep the house warm.

Using loft insulation reduces heat loss by

conduction and convection through the roof.

Double glazed windows reduce heat

loss by radiation. Using curtains also
Using cavity wall insulation reduces helps to reduced heat loss.
heat loss by conduction through the
walls.
Using draught excluders reduce heat
Installing carpets help to reduce heat loss loss by conduction through the
by conduction through the floors. doors.

b) Look at the table below. If you had £1,000 to spend on insulation, which options would you
choose and why? Use values in your explanation.

Insulation type Approximate cost Approximate yearly Approximate

(£) saving (£) payback time

Loft insulation 300 160 2 years

Cavity wall insulation 475 170 3 years

Floor insulation 600 50 12 years

Double glazing 4,000 100 40 years

Model answer: I would choose to install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. These are the
cheapest options to install at a total cost of £775 with the greatest combined yearly saving of
£330.

Science Insulation