1. Energy Content of Food
In this unit you will gain some experience with 2 types of calorimeters and the PSL equipment.

2. We will be doing 3 different labs involving our PSL equipment.
Lab Directions
We will be doing 3 different labs involving our PSL equipment.

3. Temperature probes
Our first lab will be an orientation lab working with the PSL equipment and their temperature probes, learning how to calibrate them and take readings.
We will also practice importing our data into Excel and graph our results.

4. A Calorie A calorie is defined in the metric system as follows:
A calorie is the amount of energy required to raise 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius.
Click on the food to go to a calorie calculator.

5. Calorimeters
A calorimeter is a device used to measure the amount of heat gained or lost in an object.
There are 2 types of calorimeters.
One type is used to determine heat exchange.
The other is used to determine heat generated by chemical breakdown or digestion.

6. Lab #2 Heat Exchange
Our second lab deals with calculating the heat loss of a warm object put into cold water.
We will track the temperature change and graph our results.
We will also calculate the heat lost by our metal object by calculating our heat gained by our cold water.

7. A Heat Exchange Calorimeter
Thermometer
cup
water
mass
insulation

8. Download Lab #2 by clicking the link below.

9. Lab #3 Energy Content of Food
In this lab the students will burn a pecan. The heat generated by the pecan will be used to heat some cold water.
The amount of energy given off by the pecan is absorbed by the cold water.
The students will calculate the energy lost by calculating energy gained by the cold water.

10. A Food Burning Calorimeter
thermometer
t.t. clamps
flask
soup can
Pecan or nut
air hole
air hole

11. Lab #3