Keeping drinks warm

Keeping drinks warm

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about designing and carrying out a fair test.
Which cup kept the water hot? With the materials you are given, design a investigation to find out which cup will keep water the hottest over 10 minutes, and how the water temperature changes over 10 minutes. 
 
a) i)
Write a plan for your investigation here. When you have written your plan, give it to your teacher to check.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ii)
How often will you measure the water temperature? _______________
 
  iii)
Which cup do you think will keep the water the hottest? _______________
Plan checked by teacher?  
b) Carry out your investigation. Record your results in this table. You will need to measure the water temperature before you start. This will be 0 minutes for your data and on your graph.
 
  Water Temperature in Cups (oC)
Time (minutes) _________cup _________cup _________cup _________cup
0        
1        
2        
3        
4        
5        
6        
7        
8        
9        
10        
 
 
 
c)
On this grid draw a line graph to show your results for all 4 cups. You will need to complete the key and the axes.
 
   
  Temperature (oC)
 

 
The Temperature Change of Water in 4 Different Cups 
grid for line graph
Time (minutes)
 
          
d) Write a conclusion for your investigation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper with other equipment.
 
Equipment:
4 heat proof cups or mugs of approximately the same size but made of different substances (e.g., paper, styrofoam, plastic, glass, or pottery); plastic lids for the cups, e.g., the type that are used for take away coke drinks; hot water (approximately 60oC); measuring cup; stop-watch or clock; thermometer (one thermometer for each cup is preferable); 1 litre jug.
  • This task has 2 different versions: a structured version and an open-ended version.
  • Once students have conducted their investigation they will need to share their data.
  • Give the students the materials listed above (except the water).
  • Instruct the students to design an investigation to find out which of the 4 cups will keep water the hottest over a 10 minute period. Tell the students they will be graphing their results.
  • You will need to check and amend students' plans before they carry out the investigation to ensure that students are going to measure the temperature change at regular intervals (e.g., 1 minute), and that students are all using the same interval.
  • You may need to heat and pour the water for your students. Water to 60oC can be made up in the 1 litre container then divided into 4, this will ensure the temperature of each cup is the same at the start.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Material World
Keywords: 
properties, physical properties, insulation, temperature, fair testing, investigation, planning investigations, graph construction
Description of task: 
For this practical task students plan and carry out a fair test to determine which of four different cups will keep water the hottest over 10 minutes. Students are also required to graph their results and write a conclusion.
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 methodology for fair testing.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the graph we choose to show data depends on the type of data collected.
 
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data, Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
a) i)

ii)
iii)

 Designs a fair test which includes any 3 of the following:

  • Initial water temperature is the same.
  • Same amount of water in each cup.
  • Placing all 4 cups in the same position to keep the test conditions as regular as possible.
  • Mentions repeat trials.

Temperature measured at regular time intervals, e.g., every 1 minute.
Any prediction.
b)    For accurate recording of results for all 4 cups.
c)  
  • Line graph drawn with points connected.
  • Graph points accurately reflect recorded results.
  • Y-axis numbered correctly and key completed.
d)   Conclusion drawn from results, e.g., the plastic cup kept the water hottest for longest.