STUDENT ACTIVITY INFORMATION

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are major sources of energy for the body. The energy content of foods can be found by burning a dry food sample in a colorimeter.

OBJECTIVE: In this experiment you will be able to see if a single peaanut produces enough energy to ti heat up a given amount of water, and determine exactly how much energy was given off by the peanut.

PEANUT BACKGROUND

STUDENT WORKSHEET:

A. PROBLEM: Can a single peanut generate enough energy to heat a given amount of water and how much energy is actually generated by the peanut?

B. MATERIALS NEEDED

matches

ring stand

ring clamp

200ml graduated cylinder

water

wire gauge

tripple balance beam

empty clean soda can

thermometer

paper clip

shelled peanut

metric ruler

aluminum foil

cork stopper

C. PROCEDURE

1. Gather all materials and have them at your lab table

2. Set up the ring stand and attach the ring clamp, place the wire gauge on the ring clamp.

3. Take the mass of the can and record it.

4. Add 100ml of water in the soda can, record the mass of the water and the can.

5. Take the temperature of the water and record it in your data table.

6. Place the soda can with the water on the ring clamp on top of the wire gauge.

7. Straighten the paper clip, place one end into the cork and wrap the cork in the aluminum foil.

8 . Place the other end of the paper clip into the peanut.

9.Light the match and set the fire to the peanut.

10. Place the peanut under the can with the water Safety:

11 Monitor the temperature of the water until the temperature remaained constant, record this temperature in the data table below.

D. DATA

 

CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE

Initial temperature of water  
Final temperayure of water  
Change in temperature  

 

1. Calculate the change in temperature by substracting the initial temperature from the final temperature. This is your temperature difference.

Change in temperature=Temperaturefinal-Temperatureinitial

2.Calculate the energy released from the peanut. Be sure to use Joules.

 

E. DATA ANALYSIS

1. What evidience do you have that energy was released?

2. Explain the dynamics involved why the energy from the peanut was able to heat the water.

3. Was burning of the peanut an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

4. Calculate the specific heat capacity? What does this information indicates?

5.Is it possible that by using this method of experimentation that your answer may not be accurate? Support your answer.