Comparative Thermal Conduction

From UO Physics Demonstration Catalog

Revision as of 14:22, 14 April 2022 by Physdemo (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{NewDemo|subject=Thermodynamics|topic=Transfer of Heat|file1=Comparative Thermal Capacity.jpg|file2=Comparative thermal Capacity Re-waxing.jpg}} SAFETY NOTICE: This demo involves fire and very hot metal so you will need gloves, goggles/safety glasses, and a fire extinguisher. TIE UP lose hair and clothing. Fill the alcohol burner about half way with ethanol and allow the wick a couple minutes to begin soaking up the alcohol. Place the star-shaped rod composed of diffe...")
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Comparative Thermal Capacity.jpg
Comparative thermal Capacity Re-waxing.jpg

Description:

SAFETY NOTICE: This demo involves fire and very hot metal so you will need gloves, goggles/safety glasses, and a fire extinguisher. TIE UP lose hair and clothing.

Fill the alcohol burner about half way with ethanol and allow the wick a couple minutes to begin soaking up the alcohol. Place the star-shaped rod composed of different metals above an alcohol burner. Set the burner on top of the plastic sheet (found with the rod) over paper so that it can be seen by the projector. Light the alcohol burner and let the rod heat up. Each wax glob drips off at a different time due to the different thermal conductivities of each of the metals. The rod gets very hot so give ample time to cool before grabbing it to reapply the wax.

To reapply wax you must first have ALL SAFETY SUPPLIES PRESENT and remove all flammable objects from the area. You will be using a hand torch and that can get out of hand quickly. To reapply the wax to the ends of the star-shaped rod you first , using the hand torch, melt the top of the wax in the dish shown above. Then TURN OFF THE HAND TORCH and put a glove on the hand not holding the rod. Then quickly dip each end of the rod into the wax. Repeat this process until a nice bulb has formed on each end of the rod.

Date Updated: 12/1/2021

Location:

  • Star-shaped Rod: Drawer 41
  • Stands: Next to Shelf N
  • Clamps: Drawer 123
  • Alchohol Burner: Shelf F4
  • Wax: Shelf F4
  • Hand Torch: Shelf F3