What materials makes the BEST heat insulator?

Question

at school, we have this project and we have to use a water bottle and use three materials around it, such as fiberglass, wool, and such. so i have to pick out the three best insulators. i know fiberglass, wool, bubble gum wrap, and foam are some good ones. can YOU choose the top three best heat insulators and name them? and pls explain why as well. if possible, pls list your sources and give a website. thanks. 10 points for best answer, i swear!!! :D thx again

Answer 1

metal like aluminum is a poor insulator. However, a layer of aluminum foil can prevent heat from escaping via radiation (more on this below).

Best insulators are materials like ceramic (as in dishes, also as in the ceramic tiles use on the space shuttle) and materials that have lots of air bubbles inside them, like styrofoam, as is used in coffee cups. Bubble wrap is fairly good but only for large objects where you can use lots of it.

Spun fiberglas is fairly good, as is wool, both because they trap air in them.

A vacuum, as in a vacuum thermos, is very good, as there is no conduction or convection.

There are several ways heat can be lost.

Conduction, the objects have to be touching. Metal conducts heat very well. Avoid this by using only materials with low thermal conductivity, like most plastics, styrofoam.

Convection, via air circulation. Avoid this by keeping the air still and contained, eg, bubble wrap.

Radiation, a hot object will radiate to a cold object, even through a vacuum. A shiny surface like Al foil will reflect much of the back.

Evaporation (liquids only), water will lose heat as it evaporates into the surrounding air. Hot water loses a LOT of heat. Using a closed container will negate this.

Answer 2

Metal, and Aluminum!!

Answer 3

Aluminum(think about your furnace inside your house, covered by aluminum)

Wool

That silver wrapping around a chocolate bar(it prevents the bar from melting) like hersheys