To investigate the energy content of different foods.

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Food for fuel

Aim: To investigate the energy content of different foods.

Introduction: We can show that food is a fuel by burning it, using this, we are going to investigate the energy content of four different foods; peanut, bread, pasta and a Brazil nut. Food is also a fuel in another sense. Plants and animals use food to get their energy. Different foods contain different types and amounts of energy. When food, and all other fuels (e.g. coal, oil, etc.), is burned, energy in the form of heat is transferred to it's surroundings warming them.

The body's most basic need is for energy. To get energy it needs food as a fuel and oxygen to burn it. The amount of energy foods can produce is measured in units called calories. A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of water 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).  The body changes the calories in food into energy, which is necessary for every act from blinking an eye to running a race. Energy is also used for the growing process, for rebuilding damaged cells, and for regulating body systems.  

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   The number of calories needed each day depends upon how much energy an individual's body uses. An active child can need more calories than an adult who works at a desk. The body needs more calories in cold weather to stay at an even temperature.  

Prediction/Hypothesis: I think that the Brazil nut will contain the most energy. I did some energy amounts each food has, the results are as below;

                Brazil Nut: 265000 joules per gram  

                Peanut: 24600 joules per gram  

                Bread: 24600 joules per gram  

                Pasta: 2500 joules ...

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This is a well written report that covers a lot of sections required. 1. The report is missing an equipment list, safety and variables section. 2. The data needs to be organized into a table. 3. The conclusion is very brief and does not use the data to back up the claim. ***