The energy content of a peanut

PURPOSE To measure and compare the thermal energy released during the combustion of a peanut. THEORY The energy that a particular food supplies to the body is almost the same as the energy released when that food is burnt. In this experiment the energy content of a peanut is estimated by the amount of heat absorbed by water when the peanut is burnt to heat that water. Water absorbs 4.18 J g-1 for a rise in temperature of 1C. SAFETY PROCEDURES 1. Follow all instructions for using the equipment in this activity. 2. Wear gloves and use tongs when handling the cans after heating. 3. Wear safety glasses and a laboratory coat for this experiment. EQUIPMENT peanut, cashew, dry biscuit or potato chip interface thermometer 250 mL measuring cylinder steel can/s 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

tongs retort stand and clamp bench mat electronic balance safety glasses

Place the food in a flame-proof container and weigh the food being tested. Record the mass. Set up a steel can about 10 cm above the food using a retort stand and clamp. Add 100 mL of water to the can. Put the thermometer in the water, and record the temperature After about 45 seconds, ignite the food with a Bunsen burner, quickly move the water over it and heat the water. Use the thermometer to stir the water continuously to assist in even heating of the water. Be careful not to touch any of the cans surfaces. Stop recording once the water temperature has increased by about 20 C Weigh and record the final mass of the food. Calculate the mass lost by the food. If you are able, repeat the above steps for additional fuels.

Diagram: Draw a diagram of the experimental setup

Errors and preacutions Why should you keep the Bunsen burner away from the beaker of water? Why should you stir the water? Why should asthmatics not stay in the fumes? Did all the energy from the nut go to the water?

Results Nut Initial temperature of water Final temperature of water Change in temperature Initial mass of nut Final mass of nut Change in mass Thermal energy provided to water Energy in nut burnt Energy in nut (per 100 gram) Energy in nut (found online)

1. Calculate the change in temperature of the water.( ) 2. Calculate the thermal energy absorbed by the water in the can when the peanut was burnt. The specific heat of water is 1 calorie/gram C = 4.186 joule/gram C. Q = mc heat energy= m (kg) x specific heat capacity x change in temperature 3. Use your answer to question 2 to calculate the energy released per 100 gram of peanut burnt. (Work out: eg. You burnt 10 g of peanut = 500 Joules 100 g of peanut = ? Joules 100/10 x 500J = 5000J 4. 5. Compare the result you obtained for the energy content of the peanut found online. Account for any difference. 6. Plot a bar graph of Type of nut (x axis) with Energy in nut per 100gram (y-axis). 7. Which nut provided the most energy? 8. How could you obtain a more accurate result? 9. How is this reaction different than the breaking down of food in our body to release energy (ie. Respiration)? 10. What will happen if such a reaction had to occur in our bodies?

ENDING THE ACTIVITY Equipment Clean Up Check with your instructor about putting away the equipment for this activity.