6th Grade · Science · Activity · shared by Luke Morgan
This 6th Grade Science activity explores calorimetry and calorie definitions. Students learn how energy in food like pizza and almonds is measured.
Measuring Energy: Two Truths and a Lie
How do we know how much energy is in a slice of pizza or a handful of almonds? Scientists don't just guess; they use the laws of physics and chemistry to measure heat. By burning food in a controlled way, we can see exactly how much energy is released. This process relies on specific tools and a very precise definition of what a "calorie" actually is.
Scientists use a process called calorimetry to measure the energy stored in different things. The most common tool for this task is a calorimeter. This tool is a special, closed box. To measure food energy, a small piece of food is put inside a sealed room and lit with a spark. As the food burns, it lets out heat. This heat moves into water that sits around the room. This makes the water temperature go up. Because the box is closed tight, the heat is held inside the water. It does not get out into the rest of the room. This lets people track the change in heat from start to finish. A calorie is the unit used to talk about this energy. To be exact, one calorie is the heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. By seeing how much the water warms up, scientists can find the total calories in the food.
📋 Student Worksheet: Two Truths and a Lie
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Topic: Scientific definitions and the physical measurement of a calorie
Set #
The Three Statements
Which is the Lie?
1
A: Calorimetry is the scientific method used to determine the energy content of food.
B: A calorimeter is an open container that allows heat to escape into the air during a test.
C: The energy found in food is stored before it is burned.
2
A: One calorie is defined as the energy needed to raise one gram of water by one degree Celsius.