What is installed between the inner wall and the outer wall of a portable cooler in order to keep the drinks in the cooler cool? *
A good conductor of heat
B poor conductor of heat
C good absorber of heat
D poor absorber of heat
E ice
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: B. poor conductor of heat
Explanation:
Portable coolers are designed to keep beverages and food items cold for extended periods. The key to their effectiveness lies in how they manage heat transfer. The most important feature of a cooler is the insulation material placed between the inner wall and the outer wall. This insulation is typically made from a poor conductor of heat, such as foam (like polyurethane or polystyrene).
A poor conductor of heat (also called an insulator) slows down the movement of heat from the warmer outside environment into the cooler’s cold interior. Heat transfer happens in three main ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. In coolers, conduction is the most relevant. If a material between the walls conducted heat well (like metal), the outside heat would quickly pass into the cooler and warm up the contents. This is why materials that conduct heat poorly are used—they help maintain the internal low temperature.
Some might think “E. ice” is a good answer since ice helps keep drinks cold. However, the question asks what is installed between the walls, not what is placed inside the cooler. Ice is placed inside the cooler alongside drinks to keep them cool, but the insulation is installed between the walls.
Similarly, a good absorber of heat (C) or a poor absorber of heat (D) might be important for surfaces exposed to sunlight, but those properties relate more to radiation and are less important than conduction in this context.
In summary, the effectiveness of a portable cooler depends on slowing the heat from the outside from getting inside. This is achieved by installing a poor conductor of heat, which acts as a barrier to thermal conduction and keeps your drinks cooler for longer.