Integrating the activity into your curriculum

This activity can be used to introduced calorimetry, or as an investigation of types of food

molecules, and it ties in with an article published in this journal (2). Students use the
nutritional label and item price to calculate the dollar per ounce of protein, fat, and
carbohydrate found in food, as well as calories per dollar; then they make value judgments
regarding nutrient and food choices. Similar experiments contain a possible extension
demonstration (3) and additional hands-on experiments (4).
About the activity
The activity uses a nonflammable device to hold burning food samples. Since there are
multiple ways to construct a device, students are not given explicit directions for this. The
design shown here is one suggestion. Begin with a base such as an inverted jar lid to collect
ash as the food burns. Unbend a portion of a paperclip. Secure the portion of the paperclip
that remains in its original bent conformation to the base using glue (a hot glue gun works
well) or modeling clay. Push food items onto the upright portion of the clip. Since the clip
point is not sharp, cashews occasionally break: push slowly and ease the nut onto the point.
Cashews take longer to light, but burn steadily. Marshmallows are easier to light, but tend
to need relighting to burn completely. Extra soft drink cans should be available since the
tabs used to suspend the cans occasionally break. The amount of water (50mL.) used is for
a half of a cashew. If students use an entire cashew, the water is likely to boil and they will
have to take the heat vaporization of water into account.
Sample nutritional labels for cashews and marshmallow a as well as a sample data table and
calculations are available in this issue of JICE Online. Calculations should show that the
number of calories released by burning a gram of cashews is much larger than for
marshmallows; marshmallows contain mainly carbohydrates, while cashews contain a large
fraction of fat. Students can use a reference for information on the structure and
metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. The combustion energy calculated from activity data
will be lower than the actual combustion energy of the food mainly because the
experimental setup allows for energy transfer to more than just the water.
Answers to questions
1. A chemical reaction occurred. Food combines with oxygen to release carbon dioxide
gas and water vapor.
2. The temperature of the water increases because it absorbs energy released when
the food burns. Energy was transferred from the flame through the can to the
water.
3. Answers will vary. A possible answer: add a shield around the burning item and the
bottom of the soft drink can.
4. If the thermometer touches the can, the can temperature is being measure rather
that the water temperature. If the water is not stirred periodically, the water
temperature measured may not represent the overall water temperature; some
regions of the water may heat faster than others.
5. The cashew releases more cal/g than the marshmallow because marshmallows
contain mainly carbohydrates, while cashes contain a large amount of fat. When
they burn, fats release more energy per gram than carbohydrates (see explanation
in Background above)
Calories- Whos Counting?
People must consume food to survive. Living cells use potential energy stored in food
molecules and oxygen molecules to carry out the chemical processes that support life.
Energy is sometimes measured in calories (cal). One calorie is defined as 4.184 joules,
approximately the quantity of energy required to increase the temperature of 1 mL of pure
water by 1C. This calorie is not the same as the food calorie on nutritional labels. This
unit, a Calorie, is equivalent to 1,000 calories or 1 kilocalorie (kcal). Not all types of food
release the same quantity of energy in calories when they burn or are metabolized.
Whether the food is fat, protein, or carbohydrate makes a difference in calorie counting. In
this activity, you will determine the quantity of energy in two different foods by measuring
the increase in temperature of volume of water heated by a burning sample of each food,
and then compare the energy released.
Try This
You will need: an empty, clean metal soft drink can with an intact pull tab; cold water, glass
stirring rod; ring stand with ring; cashews; miniature marshmallows; wooden splint or
lighter; nonflammable holder to hold the burning food; ruler; balance; small container; and
thermometer.
1. Design a data table to record mass of water, initial and final water temperatures,
change in water temperature, mass of holder, and initial and final mass of sample
and holder combined. You will conduct two trials each for a marshmallow and
cashew.
2. Using a small container, weight -50g of cold water. Pour the water into an empty,
clean metal soft drink can.
3. Set up the apparatus shown in the drawings. Put a glass stirring rod through the
pull tab of the can from step 2. Rest the ends of the rod on the ring of a ring stand
to suspend the can by the tab from the ring. Measure and record the initial
temperature of the water. The thermometer should not touch the bottom of the
can.
4.