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Heat Absorbed by Water at Different Distances from
a Space Heater.
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Researched by Nick C.
2001-02 |
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the amount of heat absorbed
by water at different distances from a space heater.
I became interested in this idea when I heard that families leave space
heaters too close to objects, which start fires.
The information gained from this experiment would show families not
to leave flammable objects close to space heaters.
HYPOTHESIS
My hypothesis was the farther away the water was from the heater the
less heat it would absorb.
I base my hypothesis on the 1999 World book Encyclopedia that stated
that the farther from a heat source the less heat you will receive.
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EXPERIMENT DESIGN
The constants in this study were:
* The heat output from the space heater.
* The amount of water in the bowl.
* The starting temperature of the water.
* The room temperature of the test area.
* The number of bowls used for each test.
* Thermometer and measurement procedures.
The manipulated variable was the distance of the water from the heater.
The responding variable was the change in temperature of the water placed
in front of the heater.
To measure the responding variable I will determine the water temperature
in degrees Celsius using a lab thermometer after one hour of heating.
MATERIALS
| QUANTITY |
ITEM DESCRIPTION |
| 1 |
19-liter bucket |
| 2 |
glass beakers |
| 2 |
space heaters |
| 1 |
cooking hot pad |
| 1 |
metric ruler |
| 1 |
Celsius lab thermometer |
PROCEDURES
1. Gather all materials needed for this experiment.
2. Make sure all tests are done on tile flooring or any other non-flammable
flooring.
3. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with tap water; let it sit at room temperature
all night.
4. Turn the space heater on and let it heat up for fifteen minutes.
5. Take one of the four beakers and fill it with one liter of room
temperature water.
6. Put a cloth hot pad on the tile floor.
7. Place the beaker on the cloth pad.
8. Take the temperature of the water and record it.
9. Set the beaker 20 cm. from the heater.
10. Let the heater heat the beaker water.
11. After 30 minutes, test the temperature of the beaker water with
the thermometer and record it. This ends the trial.
12. Dump the water from the first beaker and then repeat steps 5-12,
but set the beaker 40 cm. from the heater instead of 20 cm.
13. Dump the water from the second beaker and repeat the steps 5-12,
but set the beaker 60 cm. from the heater instead of 20cm.
14. Dump the water from the third beaker and then repeat steps 5-12,
but set the beaker 80 cm. from the heater instead of 20cm.
15. Dump the water from the fourth beaker and then repeat steps 5-12,
but set the beaker 100 cm. from the heater instead of 20cm.
16. Pour all of the water from bucket and beakers.
17. Refill the bucket and let it sit out all night to become room temperature.
18. Repeat steps 1-17 with second heater.
19. Record all of the information gained from the tests of the second
day and compare it with the first day.
RESULTS
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the amount
of heat absorbed by water at different distances from a space heater.
The results of the experiment were that at 20 centimeters the water
absorbed the most heat of the five distances. The water beaker that
was at 100 centimeters collected the least amount of heat. Heater
2 warmed the water an average of three degrees more than heater 1.
See data and graphs
CONCLUSION
My hypothesis was the farther away the water was from the heater the
less heat it would absorb.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted.
As the water was moved farther from the heater the less heat it absorbed.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if I were to use
different liquids, would the temperature increase still be affected by
distance? What if I used a solid item rather than liquids?
Also I wonder if solar panels were placed on top of a high mountain would
they collect more heat than at ground level, because they would be a little
closer to the sun.
If I were to conduct this project again I would do several more trials.
I would also use more distances from the space heater, especially farther
than 100 centimeters. Another thing that would help my experiment
would be to use another method of measuring the temperature of the water.
Perhaps an electronic temperature probe would be more exact than a lab
thermometer. Instead of using space heaters I could use another
heat source such as a fireplace or heatlamp.
| RESEARCH REPORT
Introduction
Heat is necessary for humans to survive. Heat is vital because it
cooks our food and provides our bodies with warmth in winter. Humans
must maintain a fairly constant body heat, which means our temperature
can’t go much more than six degrees up or six degrees down from 98.6°F
for brief periods if we are to live.
Heat
Sources of heat: A source of heat is anything that gives off heat.
There are six sources of heat that affect life. The sources are (1)
the sun, (2) the earth, (3) chemical reaction, (4) nuclear energy, (5)
friction, and (6) electricity.
The Sun -The sun gives off solar energy, a form of electromagnetic
radiation, including heat, and light. The sun produces nuclear reactions
inside of it, which creates the solar energy. "Every forty minutes
the sun delivers as much energy to the earth’s surface as all the people
on earth use in one year. Scientists are developing new ways to capture
solar energy and put it to use where-and when-it is needed (World Book
Encyclopedia, volume 18, page 376). When the solar energy reaches
the earth, people only use a fraction of it. The sun is our
most important source of heat. The earth would become lifeless if
the sun ever cooled. Though only a tiny fraction of the sun’s heat
hits the earth, it still keeps all organisms alive.
The atmosphere, the ground, and the seas absorb the sun’s heat.
Solar furnaces are devices that collect large amounts of heat. The
furnaces reflect light by using mirrors and then shine it on certain spots.
Some heaters gather enough heat to cook food, while others can melt steel.
The earth-Deep inside, the earth contains much heat. Some
heat escapes when volcanoes erupt. Heat can also escape from the
eruption of geysers. Electricity can then be generated by the earth’s
heat. The heat is used to heat houses, and do other work.
Chemical Reactions-There is many ways that chemical reactions
can produce heat.
-Oxidation: Oxidation is when oxygen combines with a substance in a
chemical reaction. A flame is created when rapid oxidation produces
heat. Compounds are created when oxygen combines with substances
in fuel. Fire and heat are produced in this chemical reaction, also
known as combustion.
-Combustion: The burning of gasoline in an automobile’s engine is an
example of combustion. To make the engine work, the burning fuel
produces heat and causes the gases in the cylinders to expand and move
parts.
-Metabolism: Metabolism is the process that changes the food in all
living things to heat, energy, and living tissue. When living cells
carry out this series of complicated chemical reactions it is metabolism.
Nuclear-Nuclear energy is produced in two ways. Nuclear fission
is the first method, the splitting of a heavy nucleus in a radioactive
element such as Plutonium. When the radioactive element splits, it
releases neutrons. The neutrons then collide with nuclei causing it to
divide as well (also called a chain reaction). A moderator collides
with neutrons slowing them down. When this happens it heats up the
moderator, which then produces steam. Electricity is then generated
when the steam drives the turbines.
Fusion is the second type of nuclear
energy. It is created when nuclei join together.
Friction-Heat is produced when an object rubs against another object.
Objects are damaged during friction. Therefore it is sometimes an
unwanted source of heat. Wearing down is caused when the moving part
rubs against each, other which creates heat. For moving machinery,
grease or oil is added between the parts. Friction is reduced from
the oil so it then decreases the generation of heat.
Electricity-" The flow of electricity through metals, alloys, and other
conductors generates heat. People make use of this heat in the operation
of many appliances, including electric furnaces, ovens, ranges, dryers,
heater, toasters and irons." (World Book Encyclopedia volume9, page 149).
This is how a space heater works.
Resistance happens when electrons and atoms collide, giving up energy.
The energy given up by the electrons is converted to heat. Resistance
depends on the type, shape, and size of the material. The object's
resistance may also vary with the temperature.
Heat Transfer
Heat Flow-Heat transfer involves conduction, convection, and radiation.
Conduction is the movement of heat through a material without carrying
the material with it (Like hot soup making the handle of a spoon
warm after a while.) Convection is the movement of heat by a heated
material that is moving (Like hot smoke rising on a cold day.)
Radiation carries heat through space using waves (Like the heating
in a tanning booth.) Heat moves in one direction, which is towards
areas of less heat.
Thermodynamics-The relationship between heat and forms of energy
is the study of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics has three laws, but
is based on two main laws. The first law states that energy cannot
be created or destroyed in a system. The second law states that energy
is only converted from one form to another. The natural direction
of energy flow is from hotter areas too less heat. Absolute zero
is the concern of the third law of thermodynamics. It states absolute
zero is impossible to reach by reducing temperature.
Summary
Heat cooks food and provides warmth. Without heat people would not
survive in many parts of the world. Therefore heat is one of the
most important factors in human survival.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bowen, Robert "Thermodynamics." World Book Encyclopedia.1998
Wolfson, Richard "Electricity." World Book Encyclopedia.1998
Cezairliyan, Ared "Heat." World Book Encyclopedia.1998
"Energy." Compton’s CD-ROM.1999
"Heat Transfer." Encarta CD-ROM.2001
Bauch, Daniel T "Solar Energy." World Book Encyclopedia.1998
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following people. Without them my project
would not have been possible.
* I would like to thank my parents for picking me up after school when
there was soar sessions.
* I would like to thank Mr. Newkirk and Mrs. Helms for helping me with
my journal and research report.
* I would like to thank Aaron, Ethan, Cody, and Mrs. Helms for listening
to my presentation.
* I would like to thank my parents again for buying me supplies so
I could participate in this fair.
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