calorie lab

Materials: To complete all steps and smoothly complete the lab we first needed an almond, which what will be burned to find the energy and calories. Next we needed a paper clip to straighten out and put the almond on as a safe and efficient way to burn the almond. A scale and small aluminum-weighing dish were needed as well to weigh out the almond and paperclip. The lab also required a graduated cylinder, test tube, distilled water, thermometer, a Bunsen burner, a sparker, a calorimeter and safety glasses. All those were used for measuring, holding, heating and measuring the temperature of the water as well as measuring the energy content and the safety glasses were for protection when burning the almond.

Method: The first step in this experiment was to straighten out the paper clip so we could jab it through the almond and use it as a stick to keep the flame away from our fingers while we burned the almond. We then placed the almond and attached paper clip on a small aluminum foil dish. Before placing the three objects onto the scale, we had to zero it out and then place it on to record the total mass. Using the graduated cylinder, we measured out 20 mL of distilled water and then poured it into the test tube. The test tube was then placed into the top of the calorimeter. Using the thermometer, we measured the initial temperature of the distilled water in the test tube and recorded it. Following that, we placed the aluminum-weighing dish in front of the calorimeter and put on the safety glasses. Using the burner and the sparker, we got the flame going and then took the almond (and attached paper clip) and placed it over the flame until it caught on fire. After it caught, we placed the almond onto the weighing dish and slid them all together underneath the calorimeter so that the flame from the almond was right underneath the test tube to heat the water. With the thermometer still in the test tube, we watched as the temperature went up. Once it