The adjective 'insulative' describes a material, substance, or property that prevents or reduces the transfer of heat, electricity, sound, or other forms of energy. It refers to the capacity to resist the passage of something through. An insulative material effectively slows down or blocks the flow of energy, acting as a barrier. The degree of insulative properties is dependent on the nature of material and its specific purpose. The effectiveness is related to the material's ability to restrict the movement of heat/electrical charge/sound waves, etc. and its physical properties like density, composition, and thickness.
Insulative meaning with examples
- The house's walls are constructed with an insulative foam to minimize heat transfer. This prevents rapid temperature changes and reduces energy consumption. The material effectively blocks outside heat in the summer, and retains internal heat in winter, improving comfort. This is cost effective and provides a more even temperature indoors.
- Specialized clothing uses insulative layers to trap body heat, which is a significant advantage in extremely cold weather conditions. The multiple layers create a barrier against wind and cold, thus allowing workers to survive outdoor exposures in hazardous conditions with low temperatures.
- The double-paned window is designed with an insulative gap filled with argon gas. This significantly reduces the transmission of sound from outside and enhances the ability to control the interior temperature from external climate changes.
- Ceramic materials serve an insulative function in electrical applications. The ceramic prevents the flow of electrical current between conductors, and it is an effective way of avoiding short circuits and protecting personnel and equipment from electrical dangers.
- The design of the thermos bottle incorporates insulative vacuum technology. The walls of the bottle are constructed so that there is a separation between the inner and outer layer, thus inhibiting heat transfer, preserving the temperature of the contents for extended periods.