Calorimetry: Measuring the Calories in Food

This hands on activity uses calorimetry to determine the calorie content of snack food. Different samples of snack foods are burned and the temperature change of surrounding water is measured. This temperature change is used to calculate the calories released from each sample. The calories per gram are then calculated and compared to the information on the nutritional label for the specific snack. Students are expected to make a claim, provide evidence and reasoning why there may be a difference in values.