Question 1 Report
(b)i. Explain how heat losses by radiation and convection are minimized in a vacuum flask.
ii. State four factors that affect the rate of evaporation of a liquid in an open container.
(a) Cooling curves for tins C and D
100 cm3 of water was used in each tin. The temperature was recorded at one-minute intervals as the water cooled.
| Time, t (min) | Temperature in tin C, T (°C) | Temperature in tin D, T (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 85 | 85 |
| 1 | 83 | 84 |
| 2 | 81 | 83 |
| 3 | 79 | 81 |
| 4 | 78 | 79 |
| 5 | 75 | 78 |
| 6 | 73 | 76 |
| 7 | 71 | 75 |
| 8 | 70 | 73 |
| 9 | 68 | 71 |
| 10 | 66 | 69.5 |
| 11 | 65 | 68 |
| 12 | 63 | 66 |
| 13 | 62 | 64 |
| 14 | 60 | 62 |
| 15 | – | 61 |
| 16 | – | 60 |
The two cooling curves, plotted on the same axes, are:
From the graph:
Precautions
(b)(i) Vacuum flask
The silvered surfaces of the double walls reflect thermal radiation and are poor emitters and absorbers; hence heat loss by radiation is minimized. The vacuum between the walls contains virtually no particles, so convection currents cannot occur. The insulating stopper also prevents air circulation at the neck of the flask.
(b)(ii) Factors affecting evaporation
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