Determine the energy content of different types of Seed: Compare the calorie content of different seeds.

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Dachinii Lee-Hewitt

Determine the energy content of different types of Seed: Compare the calorie content of different seeds.

Within a seed there is a significant amount of stored energy, in the form of lipid and carbohydrate. The energy stored in a seed is measured in joules 1 Joule is 2.390 x 10ˉ calories. When a seed is digested a person can be aware of how much energy they are consuming by having access to the seeds calorie content. Seeds also benefit the consumer in other ways; 100 grams of sunflower seeds also contains 24 g of protein and 7.1mg of iron¹. Pumpkin seeds (based on 100 grams) contain 29 grams of protein, 11.2 mg of iron and 1144 mg of phosphorus¹.A method of measuring calories can be found if the joule content is converted. To conclude, in order to determine the energy content of different seeds the joule content must be found.

1 joule is 2.390 x 10ˉ  calories of stored food

4.184 Joules is needed to raise 1cm³ of water by 1ºC

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule)

Hypothesis:

       

  H1:  Change in energy content in different seeds will cause a different change in temperature of water (When the seed is used as an energy source)

       

  H0: Change in energy content in different seeds will have no effect on the temperature of water. (When the seed is used as an energy source)

Risk assessment:

Firstly, a lab coat should be worn in order to protect clothing from the sharp scalpel and any residue from the potato or splashes of water. The scalpel should be stored carefully and used with caution to prevent harm to the user. In order to protect the surfaces in which you cut on, use a tile whilst cutting. Water is a good conductor of electricity and spillages on electrical devices could cause electrocution. During the experiment any spillages should be mopped up quickly and entirely. Clutter or mess around the workstation are trip or injury hazards. Water spillages or potato residue may also cause slipping and falls.

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Variables:

Independent Variable: The type of seed used either pumpkin seed or sunflower seed.

Dependant Variable: The temperature change of water when being heated by burning seeds.

Controlled Variable:

  • Volume of water
  • Mass of each type of seed
  • The distance between the bottom of the test tube and the burning seeds
  • Time that the Bunsen burner is given to light the seeds

Method (including how the variables were controlled):

The Temperature (ºC) was the dependant variable; the temperature of the 20ml of ...

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