answersLogoWhite

0

Styrofoam is a better insulator of heat than plastic. The plastic allows the heat in and out and the cold in and out. The Styrofoam helps keep the heat in.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Chemistry

Is a metal cup a better insulator or a plastic cup a better insulator?

Putting the cup in the freezer keeps ice from melting. Those cups will slow down the melting rate, but if you've got ice at room temperature it's gonna melt eventually. Having said that, ice will melt slowest in a styrofoam cup.


Why is Styrofoam a better insulator than aluminum?

Styrofoam is a better insulator than aluminum because it is less conductive of heat due to its air-filled pockets that slow the transfer of heat. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, so it allows heat to pass through more easily compared to Styrofoam.


Why does styrofoam get better heat retention?

Styrofoam is a good material for retaining heat. This is because its formation is that of tightly packed air-filled, tiny bubbles of plastic and is fairly thick, which prevents heat from escaping.


Is plastic or Styrofoam the poorest conductor of heat?

The answer to this question depends on the magic word NIC. NIC is short for non-intercellular. This means that the tiny cells within the foam do not connect with each other. The foam does not soak up lots of water. You can't blow air through it. A plastic foam which is NIC is a very poor conductor of heat - a good insulator. A plastic foam which is intercellular is not a good conductor, but it is nowhere near as poor as NIC foam. Its best use is as a sponge for soaking up water.


Why do Styrofoam cups keep liquid warmer then plastic cups?

This experiment works by assuming a heat balance. You assume that all of the heat in the iron goes into the water and that none of it leaves the system, so you want your experimental apparatus to be as insulating as possible.If you use a cup with poorer insulative properties, you will estimate a lower value for the specific heat of iron. The styrofoam cup is not a perfect insulator, but it is better than plastic or ceramic.You can get a feel for this by pouring three cups of kettle water into plastic, ceramic and styrofoam cups. Leave them sit for a set time. Which one feels the hottest? That one is the best insulator. Which one feels the coolest? That one is the poorest insulator.

Related Questions

Is a metal cup a better insulator or a plastic cup a better insulator?

Putting the cup in the freezer keeps ice from melting. Those cups will slow down the melting rate, but if you've got ice at room temperature it's gonna melt eventually. Having said that, ice will melt slowest in a styrofoam cup.


How well does styrofoam conduct heat?

Yes, styrofoam is full of air cells and air is a good thermal insulator. Styrofoam has poor solvent resistance, and poor hot performance.


Why is Styrofoam a better insulator than aluminum?

Styrofoam is a better insulator than aluminum because it is less conductive of heat due to its air-filled pockets that slow the transfer of heat. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, so it allows heat to pass through more easily compared to Styrofoam.


Which is a better insulator wood or styrofoam?

Styrofoam is a better insulator than wood. This is because styrofoam has a lower thermal conductivity, meaning it's better at resisting the flow of heat. Additionally, styrofoam is lightweight and easy to shape, making it a popular choice for insulation in buildings.


Is glass a better insulator than styrofoam?

No, styrofoam is a better insulator than glass. Styrofoam has a lower thermal conductivity and traps air pockets within its structure, which helps to reduce heat transfer. Glass, on the other hand, is a poor insulator because it has higher thermal conductivity and allows heat to pass through more easily.


Is styrofoam a better insulator than wood?

Yes, styrofoam is a better insulator than wood because it has a lower thermal conductivity, meaning it is better at trapping heat and preventing it from escaping. Additionally, styrofoam is more resistant to moisture compared to wood, which can affect its insulating properties.


Is Styrofoam a conductor or an insulator?

Styrofoam is an insulator. It has low thermal conductivity, meaning it helps to reduce the transfer of heat and cold.


Which material is the best insulator of heat plastic polyestyrene or metal?

It is difficult to say without knowing which metal (aluminum, gold, iron, lead, etc) but if we were to compare polyesterene and iron, iron conducts heat about 1000 times better than polyestyrene.In general, the plastic would be a better insulator.


Why does styrofoam get better heat retention?

Styrofoam is a good material for retaining heat. This is because its formation is that of tightly packed air-filled, tiny bubbles of plastic and is fairly thick, which prevents heat from escaping.


Why is Styrofoam the better insulator than paper?

Styrofoam is a better insulator than paper because it has a lower thermal conductivity, which means it doesn't allow heat to pass through it as easily. Styrofoam is also more resistant to moisture, making it more effective in maintaining its insulating properties in humid conditions compared to paper. Additionally, Styrofoam is lightweight and can be molded into different shapes, providing better coverage and reducing heat transfer.


What contains styrofoam that heat cannot easily transfer?

Styrofoam contain a great quantity of air - air is a heat insulator.


Why is styrofoam an insulator?

Styrofoam has pockets of air. These pockets make it harder for heat to travel through.