Energy Content of Foods (using the Scientific Method) Lab Objective This laboratory experiment will allow the student to systematically investigate a real world problem involving the energy content of foods. The student will apply the scientific method in defining the problem, proposing a hypothesis, using the literature to gain background information pertinent to the problem, designing an experimental approach to test the hypothesis (drawing upon techniques learned in previous experiments), analyzing the data, developing conclusions from the data, and examining limitations to the experimental approach which was used. I. The Problem Consider the following questions and state the problem which you will investigate. Do all foods provide the same amount of energy? Can foods be used as fuel? Are the Calories on a food label the same as the calories in chemistry class? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ II. Hypothesis Propose an answer to your problem/question. _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ III. Background Research Using the literature provided, find answers to the following questions: A. Why is the energy value in foods important? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ B. What does “Calories” on a food label tell a consumer? ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ C. Describe two methods for determining the energy value of foods. ____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ D. What is the source of the energy released by foods? _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ E. How are metabolic reactions (particularly respiration) and combustion reactions similar and how are these reactions different? __________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ F. Why do some things which we eat have no caloric value (eg. water, artificial sweeteners)? ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
Purchase answer to see full attachment