Investigating the Energy Content of Different Foods

552 Words2 Pages

Investigating the Energy Content of Different Foods

Aim: To investigate the energy content of different foods.

Introduction: We can show that food is a fuel by burning it, using

this, we are going to investigate the energy content of four different

foods; peanut, bread, pasta and a Brazil nut. Food is also a fuel in

another sense. Plants and animals use food to get their energy.

Different foods contain different types and amounts of energy. When

food, and all other fuels (e.g. coal, oil, etc.), is burned, energy in

the form of heat is transferred to it's surroundings warming them.

The body's most basic need is for energy. To get energy it needs food

as a fuel and oxygen to burn it. The amount of energy foods can

produce is measured in units called calories. A food calorie, or

kilocalorie, is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature

of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of water 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees

Fahrenheit). The body changes the calories in food into energy, which

is necessary for every act from blinking an eye to running a race.

Energy is also used for the growing process, for rebuilding damaged

cells, and for regulating body systems.

The number of calories needed each day depends upon how much energy an

individual's body uses. An active child can need more calories than an

adult who works at a desk. The body needs more calories in cold

weather to stay at an even temperature.

Prediction/Hypothesis: I think that the Brazil nut will contain the

most energy. I did some energy amounts each food has, the results are

as below;

Brazil Nut: 265000 joules per gram

Peanut: 24600 joules per gram

Bread: 24600 joules per gram

Pasta: 2500 joules per gram

Although both types of nut contain high levels of energy, they might

contain less of other substances, like protein, for example. Which

Bread and Pasta can provide more of.

Diagram:

Method:

1) Set up apparatus as shown in diagram

More about Investigating the Energy Content of Different Foods

Open Document