Chemistry Lab. Popcorn Kernels

32 Kernel Drive Hollywood Hills, CA 90210 October 18, 2007

Ms. Sanchez Popcorn Inc. 737 Popcorn Avenue Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Ms. Sanchez: This letter is meant to show the popcorn lab experiments that occurred at Kernel Co. Part of this experiment was intended to compare the percentage of H2O in different brands of popcorn kernels. There were three different brands of kernels to experiment with. Our team started by taking five kernels from each of the three brands and measured the mass of each kernel on the scale. Then the kernel was placed in an Erlenmeyer flask, and was held over a Bunsen burner to make the kernel pop. Once it popped, it was taken to the scale again to find the difference in mass. The percent was found next by conducting some simple formulas that will be described more thoroughly in the data table. The average percents of H2O were shown like so: Country Delight – 4.99%, Jewel – 3.62%, Orville – 7.75%. To determine the pop-ability of each brand, our team began by collecting 100 kernels from each brand of popcorn. After that the kernels were taken, by brand, to the popping machine to get as much of the kernels popped. To find the pop-ability of each brand, our team counted the number of kernels that didn’t pop in the machine. Jewel was the most efficient brand that popped and Country Delight had the most un-popped kernels. Another test that was used for this experiment helped find the best tastes and prices of the different brands. The entire team decided that the Country Delight brand was the most delicious, but the Jewel brand was the worst. Now the costs for the different brands were very shocking. The Orville brand was $4.79 per 1 lb/4oz. Although Country Delight was $1.76 per 2 lbs and Jewel was $1.49 per 2 lbs; Orville ended up costing a lot more than the others, even though it wasn’t the best of the three. All in all, our team would recommend the Country Delight brand of popcorn kernels. Sincerely,

Zachary Olson,

Cesar Medina 1