What materials that are easy to get insulate well?

Question

This is for a science project, so please list materials that Grade 7 students can get. If there are many materials, please list the materials in order from ones that insulate best to worse

Answer 1

The R factor is a measure of the material's resistance to transferring heat. The material with the highest R factor is foam board (made of styrofoam), then fiberglass insulation and finally blown-in insulation which is made of cellulose (treated wood fiber). You can get any of these at a hardware store and maybe for a student project they might give you a sample of each. Doesn't hurt to ask. Good luck!

Answer 2

I assume yuo are asking about heat insulation, not electrical insulation
best to worst-easy to get-advantages- disadvantages
styrofoam - high R value- light weight- easy to handle- expensive-gives off toxic fumes in fire
fibreglass- moderate R value- light weight, does not burn- expensive- you get slivers of glass in your skin if you come in contact with it
shredded paper-low R value, cheap, lightweight, bulky-burns easily, compacts too much, especially when it gets wet
sawdust-low R value, cheap, lightweight, bulky, burns, compacts