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Science-Related Homework Help Chemistry Topic started by: Illuminatus on Sep 15, 2012



Title: How does a stainless steel thermos flask stay hot?
Post by: Illuminatus on Sep 15, 2012
I was mostly just wondering, dtailed answers are appreciated. But as always, all answers are appreciated.
Once I had hot water in a stainless steel thermos flask and it was still hot 2 days later, I was wondering why.


Title: How does a stainless steel thermos flask stay hot?
Post by: oatmealseo on Sep 15, 2012
There's a gap in between the two layers.  It's at a vacuum so there's no conduction or convection heat transfer across the void.  The only way it can get out is through radiant heat transfer and the stainless steel reflects some of that heat back in.


Title: How does a stainless steel thermos flask stay hot?
Post by: Asif on Sep 15, 2012
it's because it's a vacuum flask, you have two stainless steel flasks welded together with only a vacuum between, a vacuum is a very poor conductor of heat so it's a very good insulator

http://home.howstuffworks.com/thermos2.htm


Title: How does a stainless steel thermos flask stay hot?
Post by: oates151 on Sep 15, 2012
The insolation around it.


Title: How does a stainless steel thermos flask stay hot?
Post by: tomochita on Sep 15, 2012
its not really the stainless steel material that cause it to stay hot.  SS is used for thermos because it doesn't rust.  and since it is kinda of lustrous, it reflects heat.  same thing would happen if you use glass inside the thermos.  its really the gap or air between the inner container and the outer cover that acts as insulation to prevent heat from escaping.