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    By what mechanism does a thermos flask keep something hot or cold for hours on end?

    Question #60335. Asked by youngirishpsychologi. (Nov 02 05 2:39 PM)


    my_baby_love

    		Insulation

    Nov 02 05, 3:48 PM
    tjoebigham

    		Actually, a thermos bottle has a vacuum between its two metal walls and that keeps cold and heat from escaping.

    Nov 02 05, 3:50 PM
    mike32768

    		Although some more durable Thermos devices use metal inside, historically, the bottle is made of glass which works better than metal to insulate as glass itself is a poor conductor of heat.

    They all use vacuum as the "insulator".

    Nov 02 05, 3:54 PM
    gmackematix

    		When Mick heard that a Thermos can keep things hot or cold, he went to work the next day with a flask full of fish and chips and ice cream...

    Nov 03 05, 5:52 PM
    gmackematix

    		Incidentally, despite the common name "vaccum flask", the walls of the Thermos flask do have a layer of very rarefied air between them as a total vacuum is virtually unattainable.
    The layer of thin air reduces heat transfer to or from the outside by conduction and convection. A mirrored internal surface minimises radiant heat transfer.

    Nov 03 05, 6:07 PM
    gmackematix

    		"Vacuum flask" is an even more common name.
    I don't know why I keep that secretary of mine.

    Nov 03 05, 6:08 PM

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