1. Thermodynamics of Popcorn
Michael Bachmann, Tony Ghaly, Kathlyn Herrick, Sean Rodney Ireland, Brian Lewis, Mohit Moondra, Neel Patel, Evan Rosenman, Juliet Savits
Advisor: Paul Victor Quinn Sr.
Assistant: Evan Kimberly

2. History of Popcorn New Mexico’s Bat Cave Aztecs The Great Depression
Movie Theaters

3. Why Fluffier Popcorn? The demand for corn is skyrocketing
Biofuel consumes about 1/4 of corn crop
Price has risen from ≈$2.40 to over $3.30
Tortilla prices in Mexico have doubled
Efficient popcorn is paramount
40% rise in popcorn prices from 2006 to 2007 S D

4. Why Fluffier Popcorn? (cont’d)
30% of popcorn is consumed outside the home
About 5 BILLION quarts at films, stadiums, etc.
Prepopped popcorn is also popular in the home
Economies of scale are possible
A 10-15% efficiency rise could
mean big profit rise for 36 oz. popper
High market value of popcorn would
offset the cost of vacuum
Few cents of corn pop a $5 dollar bucket

5. Thermodynamics
Ideal Gas
PV=nRT
Adiabatic Process
P1V1γ= P2V2γ .

6. Goals Increase size of popped kernels (π) Increase volume per mass (σ)
Decrease number of unpopped kernels (ω)

7. Microwave Apparatus

8. Microwave Apparatus Procedure
10 g. bag samples in microwave chamber
Vacuum pump reduces pressure
Pop for 2 minutes 15 seconds
Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

9. Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

10. Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

11. Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure

12. Variables Affecting Microwave
Age of popcorn kernels
Limitations of bags
Lifetime of microwave
Inconsistency with timing

13. Movie Maker Apparatus

14. Movie Maker Apparatus Procedure
85 g. samples
Vacuum pump lowers pressure
Release vacuum after popping
Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

15. Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

16. Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

17. The Popcorn Pot

19. Popcorn Pot Procedure Pre-heat 20 minutes 20 g. samples
Vacuum pump lowers pressure
Periodically shake pot
Release vacuum and turn off heat
Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

20. Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

21. Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

22. Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure

23. Decreased pressure increased volume.

24. Decreased pressure increased individual flake size.

25. Decreased pressure decreased percent waste for microwave and popcorn pot.

26. Conclusions Decreased pressure resulted in increased volume
Microwave best demonstrated theory
Movie Maker is most practical application

27. ANY QUESTIONS?