Science Smarts: Snack time science

By PATTY ROOKS on January 29, 2022.

I am going to reveal a secret – but just for the sake of science.

My favorite snack is popcorn…

In my opinion there is no such thing as a bad kind of popcorn. I am pretty sure I have tried them all! Seriously speaking though, popcorn is a great snack, but have you ever looked in the bottom of the bowl and wondered why they did not all pop? This makes me wonder is there one particular method that works better than another? We had better investigate further so we do not waste any of those white, fluffy, delicious kernels!

Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• Your favorite kind of popcorn (seeds only)

• Baking tray

• Measuring cups

• Oven

• Air popper

• Microwave oven

• Paper bag

• Large bowl

Procedure

1. Have an adult help you set the oven to 90°C (200 °F).

2. Measure out 125 ml (one-quarter cup) of popcorn kernels. Just so we are controlling for all factors in our experiment, I want you to double check and COUNT the seeds as well.

3. Spread these seeds evenly out on the baking tray and place in the oven.

4. Set the oven timer for 60 minutes. Remove the popcorn once the time goes off.

5. In the meantime, set up the air popper.

6. Measure out 125 ml (one-quarter cup) of popcorn seeds. Just so we are controlling for all factors in our experiment, I want you to double check and COUNT the seeds as well. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF SEEDS as in the first time you did this.

7. Pour into the air popper and pop as the instructions indicate.

8. Measure out 125 ml (one-quarter cup) of popcorn kernels. Just so we are controlling for all factors in our experiment, I want you to double check and COUNT the seeds as well. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF SEEDS as in the other times you did this.

9. Pour the kernels into the paper bag, and roll the top closed.

10. Have an adult help you and place the bag in the microwave laying it flat on the side of the bag.

11. Set the timer for two minutes, but watch and listen carefully. If you can no longer hear any kernels popping, stop the microwave and remove the bag immediately. CAUTION: You do not want to start the bag on fire.

12. Once you are finished popping all of the kernels, it is time to find out which method is the best to pop the corn kernels. Look in the bottom of the bowl, bag or on the baking tray. Let them cool a bit then count the number of kernels that didn’t pop. Now pick 10 of the popped kernels and measure how long they each are. Now add up the number and then divide by 10 to find the average length of one kernel. Write down your findings

13. Eat your popped popcorn while you wait for the other ones to cook.

14. After 90 minutes take the kernels out of the oven, an adult should probably do this for you. Let them cool

15. Pop your second batch of popcorn. After they have cooled a little bit count the number of unpopped kernels. What do you find?

16. Measure 10 kernels from the second batch the same as you did with the first.

17. Compare your results. What do you find?

Explanation

Which method popped more kernels for you?

I have to say, this has been one of the most delicious science experiments ever (and might I add, a really great science fair project idea)! In order to understand how popcorn pops, you need to understand just exactly what a popcorn kernel is. The outer shell of the popcorn is called the pericarp which surrounds the inside containing a bit of water and starch. In order to pop the popcorn, you need to heat it up. As you heat it, this little bit of water in the kernel turns into water vapour. The vapour in turn creates pressure inside the shell, trying to escape and when it finally forces that hard shell to crack open, it allows the starch to emerge as that delicious white fluffy kernel!

Do not forget about our Science Challenge 2022 which runs for the entire month of February. There are some amazing prizes for students and teachers. Be sure to visit our website for all of the details!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. NOTE our NEW address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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