A Good Sock
Recommended for grades 5–12.
Introduction
Insulation slows the flow of heat. Cotton, down, nylon, polypropylene, orlon, silk, and wool are some of the many insulating materials used in clothing. In this experiment, you will compare the insulating properties of cotton and wool using athletic socks. You will also study the effect of water on the insulating properties of cotton.
Objectives
In this experiment, you will
- Measure temperature.
- Calculate temperature changes.
- Make a bar graph.
- Compare the insulating properties of cotton and wool.
- Investigate the effect of water on insulation.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Middle School Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.