Michael Tophoj

Experimental Calorimetry of Cheetos

Problem/Purpose:

Determine the calories in one gram of Cheetos.

Background Information:

​ To determine the amount of calories in a source of food, I know that it should be similar

to determining the experimental energy of a piece of aluminum dropped into colder water. For

that experiment, one has to transfer the energy from a hot piece of aluminum to water, and then

the change in temperature shows me the amount of energy lost according to Q=mcΔT. The only

difference is transferring energy from the burning Cheeto to the water. I know that calories

represent the amount of energy it takes something burning/reacting to increase 1g of water by 1

degree. I also know that chips burn easily. As far as the process goes, I recognize the fact that the

flame requires oxygen, but I also know that I have to minimize the amount of heat lost.

Hypothesis:

The calories experimentally derived from the Cheeto will be lower than the accepted value, but

roughly 5.71 C.

Materials:

1 16 fl. oz ICE Can

Aluminum Foil

Tape

Graduated Cylinder

Thermometer

Utility Blade​

Lighter
Cheeto

Distilled Water

Scale

Procedure:

1.​ Cut the empty can in half with the utility blade, and wash out both sides.

2.​ Invert the can by placing the bottom of the can on the upturned top half, to create an

apparatus with an open top half capable of containing water (Container Part) and a

bottom half that the Container may sit atop of (Stand Part). Cut out one larger hole to

stick the Cheeto into from the Stand, and smaller air/vent holes around the rest of the

stand part.

3.​ Wrap the base of the Stand in aluminum foil to ensure the fire is unable to escape through

the drinking hole. Wrap another piece of aluminum foil around the joint between the

Stand and the Container to ensure no heat escape. Use tape as needed to secure the

aluminum foil.

4.​ Measure 110mL of DI water in the graduated cylinder and pour it into the Container.

Place the thermometer in the water, and cover the top of the Container with aluminum

foil, ensuring to wrap some around the thermometer so that it is free-standing. Record the

initial temperature of the water.

5.​ Weigh a Cheeto, and place it into the Stand. Wrap the entire apparatus in another layer of

foil, but ensure that the holes in the Stand are not obstructed by tearing holes in the

aluminum foil.
 6.​ Light the Cheeto using the lighter. As soon as the flame extinguishes, turn the Cheeto

over and re-ignite it. Once the Cheeto is blackened and fully burnt, record the

temperature.

7.​ Carefully remove the Cheeto from the apparatus, and re-weigh it. Record, then calculate

the rest of the data.

Data:

G of Cheeto G (mL) Water Cal/g of Cheeto

1.97 110 160C/28g=5.71C/g

Ending G Start Temp End Temp

0.51 21.2 or 21.7 C 54.3

Burnt G Calculations Experimental C/g

1.46 (110 x 33.1)/1000/1.46 2.5

Accepted C/g Percent Error Calc. Percent Error

5.71 (5.71-2.5)/5.71 x 100 56.2%

Analysis/Conclusion

Claim:

The experimental calorimetry showed that the calories within one gram of Cheeto are 2.5 C per

gram.

Evidence:
The temperature change observed was 33.1 degrees Celcius for 110 mL of water. Divide the

equation by 1.46 (Initial Cheeto mass-Final Cheeto mass), which calculates out to 2.5 C per

gram. Much lower than the accepted value.

Reasoning:

I used Q=mcΔT to determine the total amount of energy put into the water from the cheeto, then

converted the joules into C and divided it by the total weight of the cheeto to end up in C per

gram. This works because the energy put in to the water is the total amount of energy released

from the cheeto. Therefore, the conversions put it back into the amount of energy a gram of

cheeto has in relation to raising the temperature of water 1 degrees celsius.

Reflection:

I feel like the data is valid in terms of an experimental determination of the calories, but it is not

nearly as precise as would be needed to determine the calories outright. The sources of error in

this experiment came primarily from energy loss due to the poorly confined flame source. Since

the flame needed a constant supply of Oxygen, holes were necessary in the reaction vessel. Great

amounts of heat were lost due to this. If I were to redo this experiment, I would find a way of

donating oxygen to the reaction within a closed system, as this would prevent a great deal of heat

loss. This experiment raised the questions of how to minimize heat loss in such an entropic

world, and I was taught to recognize the difficulty that a problem such as this one is able to

generate.