Keeping warm at winter camp

Keeping warm at winter camp

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This task is about insulation against heat loss.

Question

illustration: tent and gear
 
a)  At a school camp, on chilly nights, everybody slept in their sleeping bags.
    What is the main way a sleeping bag helps to keep a person warm?

    • Layers of special fibres in the bag create heat.

    • The person's body heat is kept inside the bag.

    • The outer layer of the bag attracts heat from the night air.

    • The bag's outer layer keeps the cold air out.

Question

b)  On a cold day, why do several layers of thinner wool clothing act as a better insulator than a big, heavy, woollen jersey?

    • The heavy clothing causes sweating and the body loses heat rapidly.

    • Thin, wool clothing is more comfortable and is easier to move in.

    • Thick clothing, although it is a good insulator, does not allow the skin to "breathe".

    • Air trapped between the layers of clothing acts as an insulator and reduces heat loss.

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online with auto-marking.
Copyright: 
illustration: tent and gear
Image: BilliTheCat | Pixabay.com | Public domain
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Material World
Keywords: 
insulation, heat, heat retention
Description of task: 
Assessment focus: insulation.
Answers/responses: 
   

Y8 (10/1997)
a) B [The person's body heat is kept inside the bag] very easy
b) D [ Air trapped between the layers of clothing acts as an insulator and reduces heat loss] moderate
Diagnostic and formative information: 

 

Common error

b)

Option C was selected by 25% of students.