Ocean County College
Department of Chemistry
Caloric Content of Food

Date Submitted: 2/17/15
Date Performed: 2/16/15
Lab Section: Cehm-180
Course Instructor: Cynthia Spencer

Purpose:
The purpose of this lab was to measure the energy content of a variety of different food items by manipulating them with heat and become familiar with energy units such as joules and calories.

Procedure:
I gathered up all of the required lab equipment including: lighter, aluminum tray, metal fork, a piece of marshmallow, walnut, potato chip, water, 100ml beaker, burner stand, burner, digital scale, test tube clamp holder and thermometer. I first measured my empty 100ml beaker, then again filled approximately halfway. I then placed a piece of aluminum foil on a tabletop to direct the heat upward and catch any spills. Next I Placed the burner stand over the aluminum with the beaker of water on top while measuring and recording the initial temperature. The first item of food I used was the marshmallow, placing it onto the fork and measuring its weight. I then lit the marshmallow on fire and once extinguished I placed it under the beaker and measured the temp of the water. Once I recorded my observations I measured the weight of the fork. Once completed, I repeated these exact steps with a walnut and potato chip.

Observations and Results:
Food Item Description
Marshmallow
Walnut
Potato Chip
Mass of food & holder (initial)
40.4g
18.3g
16g
Mass of food & holder (final)
38.8g
16.3g
13.5g
Mass of food burnt
1.6g
2g
2.5g
Mass of beaker
66.5g
66.5g
66.5g
Mass of beaker & water
107.2g
108.2g
108.2g
Mass of water
40.7g
41.8g
41.7g
Water temp (initial)
28C
30C
30C
Water temp (final)
35
41
35
Delta T (C change)
7
11
5