1. Why Does Popcorn Pop?

Popcorn Lab

Background & Purpose

1.  Why does popcorn pop?

2.  Do you think the percentage of water will affect the quality of popcorn? Explain.

Procedures

1.  Pour in only a few drops of oil into a clean 250 mL beaker, measure the mass of the beaker and the oil. Record this in your data table.

2.  Add 20 kernels to the beaker with oil, measure the mass of this and record in data table.

3.  Cover the beaker with foil and poke a few small holes to release the steam.

4.  Heat the kernels on a hot plate (medium-hi heat). Once the kernels begin to pop gently swirl the beaker with beaker tongs until all or most of the kernels have popped into popcorn. DO NOT LET POPCORN BURN!

5.  Once most are all the kernels have popped remove the beaker with beaker tongs and let it cool for about 5 minutes.

6.  Once the beaker has cooled measure the mass of the beaker with the popped popcorn and record the measurement in your data table.

7.  Repeat this for popcorn brand A and popcorn brand B (2 trials for each).

8.  Wash out beakers VERY WELL with soap and water. Wipe down counter top and balance when lab is complete.

Data Table

Brand A
Trial 1 / Brand A
Trial 2 / Brand B
Trial 1 / Brand B
Trial 2
1)  Mass of Beaker + Oil (g)
2)  Mass of Beaker + Oil +
Kernels (g)
3)  Mass of Kernels (g)
4)  Mass of Beaker + Oil +
Popcorn (g)
5)  Mass of Popcorn (g)
6)  % of Water in Popcorn
7)  % Error
( based on avg. for both brands)

Data Analysis: (show 1 representative calculation for each unless otherwise stated)

Always show the formula you are using, round answer using correct rules and put answer in scientific notation with a unit.

Calculation 1: The mass of kernels. (Row 2 – Row 1)

Calculation 2: The mass of popcorn. (Row 4 – Row 1)

Calculation 3: Percent of water -- show work for both brands. [ (mass of kernel – mass of popcorn) / mass of kernel]

Calculation 4: Percent Error – show work based on the AVERAGE water in both brands)

Error Analysis: (Give a detailed description, using data, to explain why error occurred).

Conclusion

1.  Is the popcorn popping a physical or chemical change? Explain.

2.  What role does the oil play in the experiment? Does it directly impact the % of water in the popcorn? Explain.