Physics 2A
Heat Transfer
Introduction
This experiment is designed to give you more experience with heat transfer through the mechanisms of
conduction and radiation. Specifically, you will:
1. Measure the coefficient of thermal conductivity for one of several different materials.
2. Determine the R factor for these materials.
3. Measure the relative degree of heat transfer by radiation for four different coated surfaces, each
with a different coating (black, metallic grey, white and polished metal).
4. Investigate the construction of a thermos bottle (or Dewar flask) by measuring the rate of cooling
of four different bottles, each with a different feature (or features) that are all found in the common
thermos bottle.
You should review heat transfer (see text and lecture notes) before beginning.
Part 1: Conduction
Experiment
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