Question detail
Which of the following materials would you expect to be the most effective thermal insulator in a practical investigation of building walls?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Conservation and dissipation of energy
Question
- A. Aluminium foil
- B. Copper sheet
- C. Polystyrene foam
- D. Stainless steel plate
Answer
Polystyrene foam
Explanation
Polystyrene foam has a very low thermal conductivity, meaning it resists heat flow and is therefore an effective insulator, whereas metals like aluminium, copper and stainless steel conduct heat well.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Thermal Insulation
Students often think that all materials are equally effective as thermal insulators without considering their thermal conductivity.
To fix this, students should investigate and compare the thermal conductivity of different materials to understand which ones are better insulators.
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