Since fiberglass insulation is readily compressible, you...

since fiberglass insulation is readily compressible, you could squash two slabs initially 6 inches wide into a 6 -inch wall space. This would a. double the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor. b. increase the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor but not double it. c. decrease the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor. d. not change the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor.

since fiberglass insulation is readily compressible, you could squash two slabs initially 6 inches wide into a 6 -inch wall space. This would
a. double the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor.
b. increase the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor but not double it.
c. decrease the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor.
d. not change the overall $\mathcal{R}$ -factor.

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Key Concepts

Physical Properties of Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is primarily composed of fine glass fibers and relies on trapped air to provide its thermal resistance. Its performance is highly dependent on maintaining optimal thickness and structure; when compressed, these air pockets collapse, reducing its effectiveness as an insulator.

Thermal Resistance (R-value)

The R-value is a measure of a material's resistance to conductive heat transfer. It is directly related to the material's thickness and thermal conductivity. In insulation, a higher R-value indicates better insulating properties, which means less heat escapes or enters a space.

Effect of Compression on Insulation Performance

Compressing insulation reduces its thickness and can alter its structure, often decreasing the number of air pockets that contribute to its insulating properties. As a result, compressing materials like fiberglass insulation can lead to a reduction in the effective R-value, meaning that the overall insulation performance is diminished.

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