Banana Chip Practical

Question 1

What does the banana chip experiment measure?

Answer 1

The energy content in food

Question 2

What are the method steps for the practical?

Answer 2

1) Set up a clamp to hold a boiling tube.
2) Measure 25cm^3 of water with a measuring cylinder and pour the water into the boiling tube.
3) Place a thermometer in the boiling tube and measure the temperature of the water.
4) Measure the mass of a banana chip and put the chip into the clip.
5) Use a Bunsen burner to set fire to the chip.
6) Hold the burning chip under the boiling tube and when it stops burning repeat until it wont catch fire anymore.
7) Record the final temperature of the water and use the formula to work out the energy content of the banana chip.

Question 3

What is the equation for working out the energy content of a food sample?

Answer 3

Energy content = (temp change x volume of water x 4.2) / (mass of food x 1000)