Kelly Goodman

Questions

Do organic nuts contain more joules of energy than non-organic nuts?

Background information

Calorimeter is a device used to measure the heat absorbed or evolved during a physical change.

In order to find the joules of energy per gram, for each nut, I subtracted the initial mass from the final mass (M). Next, I subtracted the final temperature from the initial temperature which resulted as the change in temperature. Subsequently, I used the constant of 4.18J. Finally I multiplied the (change in mass) (change in temp.)(4.18) this resulted in the number of Joules per gram for each nut.

Calorimetric Formula Used

q=mc ΔT

q is energy released m is massc is specific heat (4.18J)ΔT is change in temperature

Hypothesis

If the energy released from nuts is measured, using a calorimeter, then organic nuts will release more joules of energy then non organic nuts.

Nuts Used

Almonds Organic Almonds Cashews Organic Cashews Walnuts Organic Walnuts

Materials Two tin cans Rod-shaped support Cork Needle or wire Pliers Graduated cylinder Water Temperature probe Safety goggles Lighter Balance

Calorimeter

Procedure

1. Construct a homemade calorimeter.

2. Weigh each of the foods and record the mass.

3. Fill the small can with 100 ml of water.

4. Measure the initial temperature of the water.

5. Place the food on the needle.

6. Put the needle on the cork.7. Light the food on fire.

Procedure continued

8. Allow the food to burn itself out.

9. Measure the final temperature.

10. After the burnt food has cooled, then weigh the remains.

11. Repeat these steps for each food.

12. Analyze the data. 13. Calculate the energy (in

Joules) for each type of food item tested.

Independent variable piece of food that is subject

to change after burning Dependant variable

change in temperature of water because of the energy produced

Constants amount of water in the can temperature of the water

prior to the experiment.

Variables

Average Number of Joules Per Gram for Almonds

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Organic Almonds Nonorganic Almond

Avg

A v erag e N u m b er J o u les P er G ram fo r C as h ew s

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Nonorganic C as hews O rganic C ahs ews

S eries 1

Average Number of Joules Per Gram for Walnuts

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Walnuts Organic Walnuts

Series1

Conclusion

My hypothesis was rejected because I had more then 95 percent error when I plugged my data into the t-tests in excel.

This constructed calorimeter was not advanced enough for me to get accurate results from this experiment.

Conclusion continued

Even though organic nuts may taste better and are produced without conventional pesticides, the number of calories do not show a difference in the results between non organic and organic nuts.

Works Cited Campana, Mathew, et al. "Measuring Calories in Food." SEP Lessons. Science

     Education Partnership U. of California, n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2010.      <http://www.seplessons.org/node/349>.

Coppens, Kenneth D. "How to Make a Homemade Calorimeter." EHow. N.p., 1 Apr.      2010. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. <http://www.ehow.com/      how_6167859_make-homemade-calorimeter.html>.

Massengale, C. "The Heat Is On - The Energy Stored in Food." Biology Junction.      N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. <http://www.biologyjunction.com/      energy_in_food.htm>.

Olson, Andrew, Ph.D, and Science Buddies. "Burning Calories: How Much Energy Is      Stored in Different Types of Food?" Science Buddies. 2007-05-09, 9 May      2007. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. <http://www.sciencebuddies.org/      science-fair-projects/project_ideas/FoodSci_p012.shtml>.

Smith, Robert “Is Organic Better for You?” WebMD 2011 Tues. 5 Feb. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/organic-food-

better?page=3