O-Level Physics Heat Transfer Practical: Comparing Cooling Curves

To compare insulation, record how matched vessels of warm water cool over time. The useful comparison is between their temperature histories under controlled conditions. It tells you about heat loss from the whole arrangement, rather than measuring a material's thermal conductivity directly.

This supervised investigation uses trainer-dispensed warm water and assigned vessels, insulation and probes. It does not cover steam or exposed heating elements. Read the lab safety preparation guide and identify the spill response before water is brought to the bench.

Choose one comparison

The 2026 O-Level Physics syllabus, 6091, includes heat-transfer investigations in its practical scope on pages 31-32. The Institute of Physics cooling activity provides a related teaching example. This guide focuses on changing the assigned insulation around otherwise matched vessels.

Keep water mass, vessel material and geometry, initial temperature, lid arrangement, probe position and surroundings the same. If the question instead asks about lid use or surface colour, design that comparison explicitly. Changing several features together makes the reason for a different cooling curve unclear.

Prepare the bench and measurements

Place intact vessels on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from the edge. The trainer determines the suitable water temperature, dispensing method and handling equipment. There is no universal temperature that makes every classroom setup safe. Support probes so they cannot tip vessels; avoid contact with the vessel wall or base when measuring water temperature.