insulating material, Joule´s paddle wheel apparatus?

Question

i was wondering what materials can i use for builiding the Joule device; for the container and the paddle wheel what material could be use?

Answer 1

The refs. below give the general idea, which is to put mechanical energy into stirring the water inside an insulated container, and measure the resulting heating of the water. If you want accuracy you need a very well insulated and well sealed container, and a precise means of measuring the mechanical work input. Both requirements could be difficult. As the first answers says, styrofoam is a good insulator, and it's cheap and easily shaped. The material of the paddle doesn't much matter, but you need to know what it is and its mass and specific heat, since some of the energy will go into heating it. Ref. 2 suggests a way of providing a measured amount of mechanical energy, especially if not too much kinetic energy (as speed) remains at the end of each weight-drop or if it can be estimated. Good luck.

Answer 2

Styrofoam, a thermos,