Secondary
Human Body
Flaming Peanuts! - Calorimeter
Materials:
Goggles
3 large paperclips
Ring stand
Ring support
Cardboard square/piece of clay, etc.- to hold paper clip
Balance
Lighter/match
Water
100 ml. Graduated cylinder
Aluminum soda can (335 ml.)
Scissors
Thermometer- long
Forceps
Shelled peanuts (optional- other items)
Procedure:
1. If peanut allergy is a concern, use another type of nut. Also try regular and reduced fat chips,
crackers, etc. marshmallows, etc.)
2. There are several YouTube videos on calorimeter setups for various foods—a good one is the
PascoScientific “Energy Content of Food”.
3. Assemble the calorimeter as shown in illustration. If using a ring stand, punch holes in the sides
of the can with the sharp tip of the scissors, as shown in the illustration. Push 4 opened paper
clips through at right angles to suspend the can from the ring support.
4. If a ring stand, ring support, etc. are not available, one lab partner can hold the can with a pair of
tongs over the burning food item.
5. Cut a 4-6” square of cardboard, cover it with foil, and push an opened large paper clip through
the center to hold the peanut. (shown in video) Many other items could be used to hold the
paperclip—lump of clay, etc. Bend it to stay under the cardboard and tape it in place with tape.
Bend the other end of the paper clip to a 90o angle so that it will hold the peanut. Set
cardboard on base of ring stand.
6. Fill can with 200 mL. of water.
7. Measure the initial temperature of the water in the can and record in data table.
8. Find the mass of a single whole peanut. Record mass in data table.
9. Place the peanut on the paper clip.
10. A long lighter is a good substitute for the match to avoid burning fingers.
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11. Light the peanut and place it directly under the soda can. Keep it there until the burning stops.
12. When the burning stops, take the temperature of the water again and record the results.
13. Let the peanut cool down and use tweezers to place it on the balance to find the new mass.
Record the mass in the data table.
Analysis:
1. A calorie is the amount of heat needed to raise 1 g. of water 1degree Celsius. The usual term
Calorie that we see on food labels, etc. is the kilocalorie or kcal or 1,000 calories
2. To calculate the Calories released, calculate the change in temperature and multiply it by the
amount of water—-so if a 20 degree increase in temperature with the 0.2 L. of water in the can
= 4 Calories.
3. To find the Calories/ gram of food, divide by change in mass after burning - if peanut weight
change 1.5 g. , divide 4 Calories by 1.5 = 2.67 Calories/gram of peanut.
4. The Inquiry extension extends the learning by having students calculate the caloric output of
regular and low-fat potato chips or crackers. Also the students can try other types of foods such
as marshmallows to compare the amount of calories from fats (peanuts) and carbohydrates
(sugars).
Record your data:
Water Temperature
Before Burning
After Burning
Peanut Mass
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Change