Digital ACT Science Practice Question #1784

Which of the tested materials would be the most effective thermal insulator for building construction? Experiment Context (Heat Transfer Along Metallic Rods): Identical 30 cm metal rods (cross-sectional area = 1.0 cm^2) had one end placed in boiling water (100°C) while the other end was maintained in an ice bath (0°C). Thermocouples at the midpoint (15 cm) recorded temperatures at steady state: Table 10: - Copper (k = 385 W/m*K): Time to reach steady state = 4.2 min; Midpoint Temp = 50.0°C - Aluminum (k = 205 W/m*K): Time to reach steady state = 6.8 min; Midpoint Temp = 50.0°C - Stainless Steel (k = 16 W/m*K): Time to reach steady state = 44.5 min; Midpoint Temp = 50.0°C - Glass Rod (k = 1.1 W/m*K): Time to reach steady state = 310.0 min; Midpoint Temp = 50.0°C