Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics Lab (Division C) and Keep the Heat (Division B) are slated as national events in the 2012 season. Keep the Heat was formerly run as a trial event in Minnesota, replacing Egg-O-Naut because Minnesota winters are too cold to run outdoor events involving liquid water.

Overview
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 Thermo Lab 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 Thermo Lab test can have many different things on it. A Thermo Lab 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