Metal and Styrofoam

Chemistry, Physics:	Conductors & Insulators
Grade Range:	Elementary School
Format:	Hands-on

This is an easy to set up demonstration that kids will enjoy holding and checking out. Be sure to bring plenty of ice, and towels will be helpful for cleanup afterwards.

Materials

• Metal Block
• Polystyrene Chunk
• Shallow Plastic Bin
• Ice

Safety Precautions

Please read the General Safety Precautions section of the Demonstration Safety page before performing this demonstration.

Demonstration

1. Set the metal block and the polystyrene chunk in the plastic bin. Set an ice cube on top of each and have students watch the ice melt quickly on the metal, and slowly on the polystyrene!
2. Replace the ice as needed. Otherwise, allow students to handle both items and note which is warmer and which is cooler.
3. At the end of the event, pour out the water collected in the bin from the melting ice and dry off everything.

Why This Works

When the ice is on the metal block, it melts really quickly. While on the polystyrene, it melts very slowly. This is because the metal is a conductor and the polystyrene is an insulator. Conductors are materials that allow energy to pass through them easily. This is why the ice melts quickly on the metal block, since it is transferring heat into the ice really quickly. Insulators are materials that do NOT allow energy to pass through them easily. Polystyrene, with the many small pockets of air inside it, is a really good insulator, which is why the ice doesn't melt very quickly while sitting on it!

Additional Information

• Ask students to think of the ways we use conductors and insulators. Use this to stir up conversation about the types of conductors and insulators we see everyday.
• This demonstration pairs well with the Fireproof Balloon and the Meissner Effect demonstration.