Energy in food practical

In this practical students will measure the energy measured in food. They can get an appreciation for the energy in high fat food like Nuts, compared to fried potato chips, air popped chips and biscuits.   

Materials

1 x Test tube

Water

Paper clips

1x Thermometer

1 x Boss head and retort stand

Matches

Chips/nuts/biscuts etc...

Method

1. Record the weight of the food object before starting
2. Set up the retort stand and fill the test tube up with water (measure the amount of water in the tube)
3. Place the thermometer in the test tube and record the temperature before
4. Bend the paper clip into a stand and pierce the food item onto it.
5. Place the food item under the test tube. (Your experiment should look something like the picture to the right)
6. Light the food item and record the change in temperature. Use the highest temperature recorded. (Table bellow)

Use the following formula to calculate the calories in the food.

Table

Questions

What did you notice about the amount of energy given off by the different food products?

Which food had the most energy? Why do you think this was the case?

What do you know about Fats and their energy content?

Was there any energy lost in the experiment?

Was there a difference between the fried chips and the air popped chips? If there was why?

How could we fix this experiment in the future too ensure all the energy released is caught?  

What too watch for

• How long the food burns for
• Intensity of the flame
• Temperature change
• Remains of the burnt food