Insulating a house

Insulating a house

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about fair testing insulation.
Sarai set up an experiment to investigate the effect of house insulation. She made models of two houses – one that was insulated, and one that was not insulated. She used a cardboard box as a house and a sealed container of hot water as a "heater" to warm the house. This diagram shows a section of Sarai's insulated house with its side and roof removed.
a)
How would the walls be different in Sarai's non-insulated house?
 
 
 
b)
Describe three things Sarai would need to keep the same to make her investigation a "fair test".
 
  1.
 
 
  2.
 
 
  3.
 
 
c)
This graph shows Sarai's temperature readings in her non-insulated house.
On the same graph, draw a line to show how Sarai's temperature readings would be different for the insulated house.
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physical inquiry, energy conservation, insulation, fair testing, graph construction
Description of task: 
Task: Answer two questions about variables in an investigation about insulation and complete a graph. Assessment focus: fair testing.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss fair testing in investigations.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss reading and constructing graphs. 
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data, Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y11 (03/2000)
a) Walls are made of cardboard only/no polystyrene.
[Do not accept: "they are not insulated"].		 easy
b) Any 3 of:

  • Same thermometer/thermometer is in the same place.
  • Same-size models/same box.
  • Same conditions for experiment, e.g., temperature, humidity, sunlight.
  • Models left for the same length of time.
  • Same amount of water for "heater"/same container.
  • Same initial temperature of water.
  • Any other plausible suggestion.
 3 correct – moderate

2 correct – very easy

1 correct – very easy

 
c)
  • Same initial temperature.
  • Shows earlier maximum temperature (this may be higher than the non-insulated model, but not less).
  • Slower return to initial temperature.

initial temp – moderate

max temp – very difficult

end temp – difficult