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Heat (Thermodynamics) Science Fair Project

Fabric Types and Heat Retention

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Fabric Types and Heat Retention | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Which clothing material keeps you warmest on a cold day? Different fabrics trap heat in different ways. Some hold warmth far longer than others. You wrap conical flasks of hot water in five fabrics: cotton, flannel, polyester, wool, and Gore-Tex. One flask stays unwrapped as the control. Each flask starts at 60°C. You check the temperature every 30 minutes for two hours. The fabric that keeps the water warmest the longest is the best insulator. The results may surprise you.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that of the five types of fabric, wool has the greatest heat-retention properties.

Method & Materials

You will use conical flasks, corks, an electric drill, thermometers, a cotton scarf, a flannel scarf, a polyester scarf, a woolen scarf, a Gore-Tex jacket, a hot plate, tap water, a measuring cylinder, and a clock.
You will need 6 conical flasks, 6 corks, an electric drill, 6 thermometers, a cotton scarf, a flannel scarf, a polyester scarf, a woolen scarf, a Gore-Tex jacket, a hot plate, tap water, a measuring cylinder, and a clock.

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Results

The results showed that Gore-Tex kept the water in the flask warm for the longest period of time, while the water in the flask wrapped with polyester was the first to turn cold. The hypothesis does not hold true: among the fabrics, wool did not keep the water in the flask warm for the longest period of time.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it explores the thermal insulation properties of different clothing materials, which is important for people who live in countries with four seasons.

Also Consider

Consider using other materials such as fur, silk and leather. Also, try using thicker clothes and compare the results.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

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