Table of Contents

Experiment 2: Effects of Heat in a Building Demonstrator ......................................2

Theory: ....................................................................................................................2
Learning Outcomes : ...............................................................................................2
Equipment : .............................................................................................................3
Precautions: .............................................................................................................5
Procedure: ...............................................................................................................5
Data and Results: ....................................................................................................8
*Discussion: ............................................................................................................8
Discussion Question: ..............................................................................................8
Experiment 2: Effects of Heat in a Building Demonstrator
Theory:
1. Heat is a form of energy which is transferred from one body to another body at a lower
temperature by virtue of temperature difference between the bodies.
2. The S.I. unit for heat is Joule, J.
3. Heat is energy in transit from one body to another as the result of a temperature
difference between the two bodies. Heat transfer is always from a region of high
temperature to a region of lower temperature and never in the opposite direction. For
example is body A has a temperature of 20℃ while body B has a temperature of 25℃,
heat will travel from body B to body A until the temperature of bodies A and B are equal.
4. When the temperature of bodies A and B are equal, both of them are said to be in thermal
equilibrium.
5. When an object absorbs heat, its internal energy increases.
6. Heat can transfer from one place to another by conduction, convection and radiation.
7. For reflection and absorption of heat, normally materials with clear colours and smooth
surface would tend to reflect more and absorb less. But materials with dark colours tend
to reflect less and absorb more.
8. This is the reason why during hot sunny days, we should not wear clothes which are dark
in colour.
9. Besides, materials with clear colours and smooth surfaces would release heat faster than
materials with dark colours.

Learning Outcomes :
1. To determine the effects of temperature on different materials / boards when they are
subjected to the heat source.
2. To study the relationship between density and thermal conductivity of different materials.

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Equipment :
1. Building Demonstrator

Figure 2.1: Building Demonstrator

2. Thermo Hunter – Detect an object/target temperature from a safe distance with a non-
contact method (OPTEX CO., LTD)

Figure 2.2: Thermo Hunter

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3. Plywood 4. Cement Board

Figure 2.3: Plywood Figure 2.4: Cement Board

5. Gypsum Board 6. Measuring tape (0.1cm) – To measure the length

and width of the specimen board.

Figure 2.5: Gypsum Board Figure 2.6: Measuring tape

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Precautions:
1. Students performing the experiments should be supervised by the lectures in charge.
2. Do not touch the heat panel or the infrared heater when carrying out the experiment
because the panel is hot.
3. It is advisable to carry out this experiment last.
4. Switch off the power from the power point and the main supply when the Building
Demonstrator is not in use.
5. Pull off the plug from the power supply after turning it off, to prevent voltage surge
during thunderstorms.
6. When student remove the board from the Building Demonstrator, the glove must be wore
to prevent scald.
7. Students should master time in five minutes to prevent the board too hot (temperature
increasing) and cause burning.
8. When measure the board, the ruler must perpendicular to the board to prevent zero error.
9. Repeat the experiment to obtain a more accurate result.

Procedure:
1. The demonstrator was set up by plugging into a 240V AC single-phase 50Hz supply.
2. All the four nuts were unscrewed at the end of the demonstrator and the heat panel was
placed and tightened.
3. The heater was plugged in to a power point which is located at the side of the control
panel.
4. The surface temperature of the plywood was measured by using the thermos hunter
before the experiment is started.

Figure 2.7: The initial temperature is measured by using thermo hunter.

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5. The plywood was placed into a black rack and placed it onto the demonstrator which is
located 60cm away from the heat source.

Figure 2.8: The plywood is placed 60cm away from the heat source.

6. The heater was turned on, the 2 doors were closed and waited for about 5 minutes.
7. The doors were opened and by using the thermos hunter, the red laser was pointed to the
surface of the board, read and the temperature shown on the screen were recorded.

Figure2.9: The door of the building demonstrator is opened.

8. The experiment was continued and the results were taken from different distances
(120cm, 180cm) away from the heat source.
9. This experiment was repeated by using different type of board.

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10. When the experiment has been completed, do not touch and take out the heat panel
immediately because the panel is VERY HOT (about 150ᵒc). Wait and the thermos hunter
were used to check the temperature before touching or taking out the heat panel.

Figure 2.10: The panel is removed after it has cooled down.

11. The density of each of the building material was calculated by weighing and dividing it
by its volume.

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Data and Results:

Density Initial Temperature(oC)

Material (Kg/m3) Temperature Dist.60cm Dist. 120cm Dist.180cm
(oC) Before After Before After Before After
Plywood 674.23 31.4 49.2 30.5 39.7 31.6 39.7 33.7
Gypsum 689.44 32.1 59.1 40.3 43.8 36.0 37.6 33.7
Cement board 1425.25 32.9 47.2 34.5 36.3 31.7 35.9 33.1

*Discussion:

The 180cm distance temperature of plywood is higher than 120cm distance due to the heat in
plywood has not release until its initial temperature, and the distance of plywood is not accurate,
thus it may cause the temperature of 180cm higher than 120cm. The other reason is that the
upper part of the Building Demonstrator has broken. This may cause the constant intial
temperature cannot be obtained due to the flowing of air in and out or is disturbed by the
surrounding temperature.

Discussion Question:
1. Plot a graph showing the relationship between temperature (vertical axis) and distance
from heat source (horizontal axis) for the 3 different building materials.
Please refer the graph on page

2. What is thermal resistance (R-Value)? Elaborate on the 3 general types of thermal

resistance.
Thermal resistance is used to measure the differences in temperature of a material or an
object in resisting heat flow. There are 3 types of thermal resistance which are absolute
thermal resistance, specific heat resistance and thermal insulance.

3. What is the relationship between density and thermal conductivity? From the 3 building
materials (plywood, cement board and gypsum board), which offers the best heat
insulation? Why?

4. Discuss the common building materials used for heat insulation and their applications.

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