Thermodynamics

Overview
This is a Minnesota event that replaces Egg-O-Naut. It is simply too cold to be launching eggs into space. It is tentatively scheduled to be a national event in the 2011-2012 season.

In this event you create a model or device that simply insulates a 250ml Pyrex beaker filled with 100ml of hot water. Your goal is to create a device that loses the least amount of heat after a period of time determined by the instructor (20-30 minutes). While your device is being tested you take a short test on heat (conversions, specific heat, etc). The starting temperature can be anything from 50 degrees Celsius to 90 degrees Celsius (determined by the instructor). Participants will also need to estimate the amount of heat lost according to graphs made prior to the competition (see "Construction").

Device
The Keep The Heat (KTH) device must fit inside a 30cm cube. If it does not fit, the device will be disqualified. The beaker must be a 250ml Pyrex beaker and it must be easily removable. There should also be easy access to the interior of the device for temperature measurement by the instructor. Plugs are allowed as well as covered loose fiberglass.

Construction
Prior to the competition, competitors should make cooling curve graphs for various starting temperatures so they can easily identify the final temperature at the competition.

Test
The KTH test can have many different things on it. A KTH test may include (but is not limited to): temperature conversions, definitions of heat units, heat capacity, and specific heat calculations. No notes or resources may be used on this test. You are allowed a nonprogrammable-nongraphing calculator.

Links
http://www.minnesotaso.org/Files/KEEP%20THE%20HEAT.pdf