LAB: Investigating Food Energy: Background Information

Biology
LAB: Investigating Food Energy

(i.e. the super fun calorimeter lab)
Background Information
Plants use the process of photosynthesis to produce glucose. Glucose stores energy in the form of
chemical bonds. When chemical bonds are broken, energy is released. Some food sources have more
energy than others. The amount of energy in foods is measured in calories. What is a calorie? A calorie is
the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1g (1mL) of water 1° C. Caloric values of
food are given in kilocalories. One kilocalorie is equal to 1000 calories. A kilocalorie is notated with a
capital C and a calorie with a lower case c. It is important to remember this difference.
Purpose
Calculate the relative amount of chemical potential stored in chemical bonds of foods.
Equipment
Calorimeter Matches Graduated Cylinder Burnable food samples
Balance Water Thermometer Aluminum Foil
Safety
You are required to wear goggles at all times and tie back any long hair. You must follow all safety
procedures or risk being removed from the lab and receiving a zero for the assignment.
Pre-Lab
DONE IN A GOOGLE DOC ON CANVAS.
A. Answer the following questions in complete sentences. These answers can be found above!
1. What is a calorie? A measure for food on how much fat there is.
2. What chemical compounds in foods contain calories? (think back to IRL activity)
Every food contained calories
3. In what form is the energy in a potato chip stored? (same as glucose)

Chemical
4. What is a graduated cylinder used for?

used to measure liquid
5. What is the purpose of this lab?

To look at different food energy
6. What are two safety considerations that you must address before starting the lab?
wear goggles at all times and make sure long hair is tied back
7. What are the 4 kinds of biological macromolecules? (you should know this already)
proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids
8. What are the 6 nutrients needed by your body? (google this)

Carbohydrates (CHO), Lipids (fats), Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Water.
LAB: Calorimeter
Procedure (read, then watch the video)

1. At your lab table you have: a ring stand, pop-can, watch glass, paperclip, glass rod, and ring
holder
2. Using a balance, mass your food samples. Record the masses in your data table on google
sheets.
3. Place one of the food samples on the paper clip or on the watch glass.
4. Clear your work surface of anything flammable. Put your goggles on and tie your hair back.
5. Using your graduated cylinder measure 30 mL of water and pour it into the pop can.
6. Measure the temperature of the water in your pop can. This is your beginning water
temperature. Record your data in the appropriate place.
7. Remove the thermometer from your pop can. Using the matches, carefully set fire to the food
sample. DISPOSE OF BURNED MATCHES IN BEAKER THAT IS PROVIDED TO YOU! DO NOT PUT THEM IN
THE GARBAGE OR THE SINK!
8. Burn the sample completely. As soon as it is completely burned out, measure the temperature of
the water in the pop can. This is your ending water temperature. Record this information in the
appropriate place.
9. Repeat the procedure until you have data for all samples.
Here is link to the video. Watch the video and fill in the data table.
B. Complete the following data table on your lab sheet google sheet.
Table 1: Energy Content of Food Samples
Food BOX A BOX B BOX C BOX D BOX E BOX F BOX G BOX H BOX I
Sample Beginning Final Mass Mass Beginning Ending Temp Calories Kcals per Kcals per
Mass of of Sample burned of Water Water Change ° C Per Gram Gram 100 Grams
Sample (g) (g) Sample (g) Temp ° C Temp ° C
Cheeto 0.39 0.21 0.18 22 27 5 2777 2.777 277.7

Freetos 1.0 .3 .7 24.5 29.5 5 714 .714 71.4
Potato 1.75 .09 1.66 24.5 36 11.5 12777 12.777 1277.7
chip
Example: 2.3 0.8 1.5 22 34 12 12 x 100 = 800/1000 = 0.8 x 100 =
Marshmall 1,200 .8
ow cal/1.5 =
800
Math Directions
1. BOX C: Box A – Box B
2. BOX F: Box E – Box D
3. BOX G: Box F x 100. Take this answer and divide by Box C
4. BOX H: Box G / 1000
5. BOX I: Box H x 100
The Marshmellow example is done for you.

LAB: Calorimeter
Graphing
10. Graphically compare the kcal/100 grams for each of the THREE food items you tested. (Do not
include the marshmellow data. Make it in Google Sheets, copy and paste the graph below. If
you paste a link, make sure you give your teacher access and do not delete your data.
Analysis Questions
1. What macromolecules were present in your food samples?
a. Sample 1: lipid, carbohydrates, proteins
b. Sample 2: lipid, carbohydrates, proteins
c. Sample 3: lipid, carbohydrates, proteins

LAB: Calorimeter
2. Was energy released into the atmosphere or absorbed into the food? Explain.
was released into the atmosphere because the food was heated up causing the energy to be
released.

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Biology

LAB: Investigating Food Energy

3. In what form is the energy in a potato chip stored? (same as glucose)

4. What is a graduated cylinder used for?

5. What is the purpose of this lab?

8. What are the 6 nutrients needed by your body? (google this)

Procedure (read, then watch the video)

Cheeto 0.39 0.21 0.18 22 27 5 2777 2.777 277.7

The Marshmellow example is done for you.

b. Sample 2: lipid, carbohydrates, proteins

c. Sample 3: lipid, carbohydrates, proteins

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