1. Physical Properties of Matter
Building a House Model-
Conductors
And
Insulators
TEKS 5.5A

2. The student is expected to . . .
5.5 The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and used.
The student is expected to . . .
*A. classify matter based on physical properties including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy, or electric energy

3. Heat Energy
Heat moves from areas of high temperature to areas of low temperature.
When two bodies of different temperatures come into contact, they will exchange heat energy until the temperature of both is made the same.
The amount of energy transferred is the amount of heat exchanged.

4. Temperature
Temperature measures the physical property of ‘how hot’ or ‘how cold’ material is
Celsius is the common SI unit for temperature measurement.  C
Thermometers are the scientific tools used to measure temperature.

5. Conductors of Heat Energy
Materials that DO transfer heat energy from higher temperature to lower temperature areas.
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Examples
materials made of metal and glass
Conduction means allowing the transfer of heat from a higher temperature area to a lower temperature area.
Heat energy flow

6. Insulators of Heat Energy
A material that does NOT transfer heat readily
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Examples
materials made of rubber, wood, cloth
materials that have air pockets
Insulation means providing a barrier to the flow of energy, in this case, heat.
Heat energy
Insulator

7. Heat insulation is also called thermal insulation
The blanket keeps body heat (heat energy) close to the boy. Heat energy is not transferred into the surrounding air.
The house insulation in the walls and attic will slow down the transfer of heat. In cold weather, inside a warm house will be warmer than the outside temperature. In hot weather, inside a cool house will be cooler than the outside temperature.
The styrofoam cup slows down heat transfer. A cold drink in the cup will stay colder than the surrounding air. A hot drink in the cup will stay hotter than the surrounding air .

8. Practice your learning
Conductors
Describe conductors.
Give an example of a conductor.
Describe a practical use of a heat conductor.
Insulators
Describe insulators.
Give an example of an insulator.
Describe a practical use of a heat insulator.

9. Heat conductors and insulators in the classroom
A classroom model

10. Students are building a model of a house using a cardboard box and other common materials. They will test the insulating properties of materials that could be used in the attic of the model.

11. 1. Choose the insulating material to use in the attic of the model that will keep the house the coolest.
A. Aluminum foil
B. Metal screen
D. Glass plate
C.Styrofoam

12. Correct: Styrofoam is a good insulator and will not conduct heat
Correct: Styrofoam is a good insulator and will not conduct heat. The styrofoam will not allow much heat energy from the lamp to transfer to the attic.
C.Styrofoam
Incorrect choices:
Metals, like aluminum and screens, and glass plates are poor heat insulators, but good heat conductors. These materials will allow the heat energy from lamp to transfer to the attic.

13. 2. The primary heat energy source for the model house system is
A. the classroom window.
B. the lamp when lit.
C. the air in the room.
D. the outside temperature.

14. Correct: B, the lamp when lit The lamp when turned on and aimed at the roof of the model house supplies the heat energy.
Incorrect choices:
Classroom window is probably too far from model.
Room temperature air would not provide any additional heat to the model.
C. Since the model is constructed indoors, the outside temperature would not affect it.

15. 3. Materials are considered heat insulators when they
change heat to light.
transfer heat energy easily.
make their own heat.
D. help block the transfer of heat.

16. Correct: D, when they block the transfer of heat Materials that are insulators do not let heat energy pass through them easily.
Incorrect choices:
Heat energy is not being changed to light.
Materials that are heat conductors let this form of energy pass through them easily.
C. Insulators are not the source of heat energy.

17. 4. Which statement best describes the cardboard house model?
A. The model is built to demonstrate electric conductors.
B. The model shows materials students should not use.
C. Melting of the model house is a safety problem.
D. In the natural world, solar energy would provide the heat.

18. Correct: D, the lamp is a representation of the Sun and solar energy
Incorrect choices:
The purpose of building the model is to test materials for heat insulation not electricity conduction.
The materials are appropriate for student use.
If safety rules are not observed, burning, not melting, could be a problem.

19. 5. Which attic material insulated the model house best?
A second thermometer is placed inside the house.
A thermometer placed on the roof reads 35º C.
Attic materials
tested
Thermometer
readings
Aluminum foil
35ºC
Metal screen
30ºC
Styrofoam
20ºC
Glass plates
25ºC
Aluminum foil
Metal screen
Styrofoam
Glass plates

20. Correct: C, styrofoam The temperature readings with the thermometer placed inside the house indicated when styrofoam was used as insulation the temperature was 20ºC-the lowest recorded temperature. Materials that are insulators do not let heat energy pass through them easily.
Incorrect choices:
All the other materials had recorded temperatures of higher
than 20º C. The best insulator should keep the inside of the
house the coolest (the lowest temperature). 20º was also
lower than the temperature of the heat from the lamp as
recorded with the roof thermometer.