Is Styrofoam or paper a better insulator?

I used 4 meterials (cups) polystyrene, paper, porcelain and metal. Polystyrene was the best insulator followed by paper, porcelainand then metal. I understand it has something to do with conduction convection and radiation but am not sure exatctly what or why.

van.physics.illinois.edu - Best Thermal Insulator | Physics Van | UIUC

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A:

Hi Sinead,Heat energy can flow by the three mechanisms you mention, conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction works when heat energy flows from a hot object to a colder one when they touch. How fast the heat flows by this mechanism depends on the temperature difference between the objects and the thermal conductivity of the materials and the interface, and the area of the interface. Convection is an aid to heat conduction when some of the material flows from one place to another, carrying the heat energy along with it. Hot stuff typically expands, and becomes less dense and floats upwards, so convection currents arise naturally when a liquid or gas is allowed to flow and there is a temperature difference from one place to another. Radiation is the carrying of heat energy from one place to another by light waves (or their longer-wavelength cousins infrared waves).All three cups should block light radiation from the inside to the outside, although may emit infrared waves from their outer surface to the environment. The insulation comes from preventing heat energy from going from the inner surface to the outer surface.Styrofoam is made mostly out of air, which conducts heat very poorly, but convects well. Styrofoam traps the air in small pockets, preventing it from flowing, and so it reduces conduction and convection at the same time.If your cup was made out of hard plastic polystyrene and not the air-puffed version, it still may insulate well because the long polymer chains in the plastic do not conduct heat well. Plastic cups are typically thicker than the paper ones too, and a thicker cup makes a better insulator.The paper cup is a lot like the styrofoam cup I mentioned above, with the dry wood fibers trapping air. Usually paper cups are waxed, and wax is a poor conductor of heat (but better than air). It is probly thin and lets heat through.Porcelain is a dense material made out of clays and stony materials. These conduct heat better than air or wax or plastic. When some atoms jiggle on one side of a crystal of a rocky mineral, it is easier for this motion to be conveyed through the crystal lattice of the mineral than it is for plastic or wax, where the motion is damped out.The metal conducts heat extremely well because electrons are free to move through the material and can carry energy from one part to another quickly.Tom

(published on 10/22/2007)

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What keeps things colder plastic wrap or aluminum foil?

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Aluminum foil keeps food colder than plastic wrap when food is removed from the refrigerator or freezer. In both cases, food must be wrapped tightly with no holes. Aluminum foil is also better for keeping in oxygen and moisture. Aluminum foil and plastic wrap both have their advantages and disadvantages for wrapping up food. While aluminum foil tends to keep food colder, it is not the best option for acidic foods like berries and tomatoes. However, if these acidic foods are wrapped in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil around the plastic wrap is the best protection. Plastic wrap is best for produce, sandwiches and acidic foods.

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