Which Material Makes the Best Insulator? CER Response

Your class tested how well different materials keep heat trapped inside a container. You filled four identical cups with hot water at the same temperature. Then you wrapped each cup with a different material:

• Cup A: Wrapped in aluminum foil
• Cup B: Wrapped in bubble wrap
• Cup C: Wrapped in a wool blanket
• Cup D: Left unwrapped (control)

After 20 minutes, you measured the temperature of the water in each cup:

• Cup A: 85°F
• Cup B: 92°F
• Cup C: 98°F
• Cup D: 72°F

Your Task: Write a CER response that answers this question: Which material is the best insulator, and why does it work better than the others?

Structure Your Answer

Claim: Write one clear sentence stating which material is the best insulator and why you think so.

Evidence: Use the temperature data from the experiment. Which cup stayed the warmest? Which cup lost the most heat? (Include at least 2 specific temperature measurements in your answer.)

Reasoning: Explain why the best insulator kept the heat in better. What properties does a good insulator have? How do materials trap or allow heat to escape? Why did the other materials not work as well?

Tips for Success

• Use complete sentences.
• Include specific numbers from your data as evidence.
• Include 2 pieces of evidence and the reasoning that the evidence supports the claim.
• Explain the science behind why your chosen material works best.
• Use science vocabulary (insulator, heat, temperature, energy, conduct)

Write a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) response that answers: Which material is the best insulator, and why does it work better than the others? Use the temperature data from the experiment and explain your reasoning using science vocabulary.