Biology · Food & nutrition · Calorimetry

Energy content of food by combustion calorimetry

Burn a food sample under a boiling tube of 20 cm³ water. Read the temperature rise. Calculate the energy released per gram using q = mcΔT and compare to the published value.

Equation

q = m × c × ΔT

m = mass of water (g) · c = 4.18 J g⁻¹ K⁻¹ · ΔT = temp rise (°C). Per-gram value: q ÷ m_food.

Exam-style questions

1. Which equation links electrical input to heat produced?

2. Why is the experimental energy per gram usually MUCH LOWER than the published value?

3. Why use a SMALL mass of food (less than 1 g)?

4. Specific heat capacity of water:

Progress

0 / 6 samples completed