Heat Trapper Design Contest

Your job, as a team of 2 students (or individually with permission) is to design an environment that will trap and retain heat for the longest period of time.

Rules  Device cannot be larger than 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm  There must be an open space (chamber) in the interior of the device that is a minimum of 8cm x 8cm x 8cm or 512cm3  A small hole that can fit a probe thermometer must be present from the exterior to the interior of the chamber  There must be a clear window into the chamber, with a minimum size of 6cm x 6cm or 36cm2  The interior of the space must begin at room temperature.

How the contest will work:  Your initial temperature will be recorded using a labpro with continuous temperature monitoring before, during and after the heat source has been introduced.  A heat light bulb will be placed 20cm, perpendicular to the window and turned on and remain on for 10 minutes.  The individual or team that is able to have the greatest temperature gain and maintain that temperature for the longest time will win the contest.  The following formula will be used to determine competition placement

Heat gain – heat loss after 15 min with light off – difference between initial temp and room temp.

 If there is “heated”  competition, the most competitive devices will be measured for heat loss at 20, 25 and 30 minutes after the light was turned off to determine the placement.

Bonus points will be awarded as follows: First place – 15 points Second place – 10 points Third place – 5 points

Constructing your device You will construct a container from materials of your choice. The container must be designed around the rules above. You may use any knowledge or resources available to you in your design. There have been VERY successful designs using very simple materials. Consider class discussions, the mini-labs and prior knowledge when considering the materials to use and your design. If you collaborate with peers make sure you are careful as to whether they can use your ideas or not.

The competition will take place March 2 (red) or March 3 (white). Assessment and Scoring

Design (up to 15 points) 1. Picture or Drawing of heat trapping device (5 points) a. Must be neat b. Must be labeled c. Must be complete

2. Detailed description of design elements used to enhance heat-trapping capability. a. 10 points = 4 or more elements are used and completely and accurately explained. b. 8 points = 3 elements are used and completely and accurately explained. c. 6 points = 2 elements are used and completely and accurately explained. d. 4 points = 1 element is used and completely and accurately explained. e. 0 points = 0 elements are used or are not completely and accurately explained.

The competition (up to 15 points) 1. For full points temperature must increase at least 20˚ F AND not lose more than 5 ˚ F after 1 minute. Lose 1 point for each ˚ F not achieved and/or minute that heat is not held. 2. If you lose points in this area, you can regain points by redesigning and collecting a second set of data. This needs to be done in the classroom during non-class time. You also cannot compete for bonus points with your second design. 3. Bonus points awarded for this category.

Analysis (up to 10 points) Complete all questions completely and thoughtfully on a separate piece of paper.

1. Was your design successful? Explain why it was or wasn’t. (2 pts) 2. Consider all the devices from your class. What features do you think were most important for trapping heat? Explain why. (3 pts) 3. Did you redesign? If so, was it helpful? Explain. If it wasn’t, why do you think it wasn’t? (2 pts.) 4. Explain how changes to earth surface and atmosphere may contribute to more heat being held at or near the surface rather than reflecting back into space. (3 pts)