Wood Chip vs. Fiberglass Insulation

By Gus ConwellPeriod 4

Quarter 4Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School

Question

•Will fabricated insulation be better at holding heat than natural insulation?

Background Information

• This experiment was based on heat convection.

• Convection is how heat moves around the earth.

• Builders install insulation to keep the interior of structures warm and quiet.

My Hypothesis

• I predict that the fabricated fiberglass insulation will better at holding heat than the natural wood chip insulation.

Variables

• Experimental: wood chips, R-13 insulation

• Constant: light bulbs, boxes, instant thermometers, temperature on the outside

Materials

• Wood base• 2 - 25 watt light bulbs• 2 – same size cardboard

boxes• 2 - Instant

thermometers• Wood Chips• R-13 insulation

Building Procedures

1. Gather all required materials

2. Build two cardboard houses3. Install wood chip insulation4. Install fiberglass insulation5. Wire two light bulbs

Testing Procedure

1) Recorded outside temperature2) Turn on the lights in each insulation testing

cardboard box 3) Wait 5 minutes for insulation boxes to warm

up, record temperature, turn off light 4) 2 minutes later record temperature 5) 3 minutes later record temperature 6) 3 minutes later record temperature

Observation Table Recorded temperatures

Test (degrees) Wood Chips Fiberglass

Test 1 (65) 146 to 74 114 to 84

Test 2 (65) 136 to 78 117 to 89

Test 3 (65) 150 to 80 121 to 91

Test 4 (40) 134 to 71 108 to 80

Test 5 (40) 144 to 71 109 to 85

Outside temperature 65 degrees

Outside Temperature 50 degrees

Total Temperature Lost in 8 Min

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

woodchips

Fiberglass

Init. Temp

End Temp

Temp Lost

Data Analysis

• Surprisingly, the wood chips reflected the light causing a initial higher temperature.

• However, the fiberglass insulation retained heat better than the woodchips.

• Therefore, fiberglass is better than wood chip insulation at holding heat.

Conclusion

• My hypothesis was correct.• Fiberglass is a better insulator of air than

wood chips. • We might have had different results if we had

tested at extreme temperatures• I tried to find a natural solution to keep a

house warm, but R-13 insulation proved to be a better choice

Special Thanks

• My dad, I could not have done it without him.

• School for champions website from 3/24/10. http//www.school-for-champions.com/science/thermal_insulation.html

• Mr. Pham for guidance, help, and advice.