Thermal insulators
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the idea of vibrating particles to explain why wrapping an object in a thermal insulator keeps a hot object warm and a cold object cool.
Key learning points
- Particle vibrations are passed on more quickly between a hot object and conductor than a hot object and an insulator.
- Materials that contain trapped air provide good insulation because gases are very poor thermal conductors.
- Wrapping an object in an insulator keeps a hot object warm and a cold object cool.
Keywords
Thermal conduction - a change in temperature due to particles passing on their motion through the forces between them or by particle collisions
Thermal conductor - a substance through which thermal conduction happens quickly
Thermal insulator - a substance through which thermal conduction happens slowly
Insulation - a layer of thermal insulator around an object to help maintain its temperature
Common misconception
Insulators warm objects up.
Show your class that an insulator keeps an ice cube colder for longer by wrapping one in a conductor (such as aluminium foil) and another in an insulator at the start of the lesson. The ice cube in the conductor will melt first.
Teacher tip
For an extended investigation into insulators, provide a range of insulating materials such as cotton, paper, wool, aluminium foil, cardboard and bubble wrap. Pupils can test different materials and pool the results.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What might the temperature be on a hot day?
Q2.What holds the particles in a solid in their fixed positions?
Q3.Heating a solid causes its particles to more vigorously.
Q4.Heating a gas causes its particles to more quickly.
Q5.How do particles in a solid pass on vibrations to each other?
Q6.How do faster moving particles in a gas make other particles in the gas move more quickly?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.As a hot object cools down, it its surroundings.
Q2.What do you call a material that is an extremely poor thermal conductor?
Q3.How many variables do you change during a fair test experiment?
Q4.When carrying out a fair test to compare different insulation materials wrapped around a hot drink, which of these are control variables?
Q5.Why is a woolly scarf a good insulator?
Q6.On a hot day, a wrapped ice lolly is covered with a woolly scarf. What will the effect of this be on the ice lolly, compared to one that is not covered?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Thermal insulators, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Thermal insulators, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Heating and cooling unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.