Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

In the procedure of "How much fat is in your food?" it tells how to calculate the percentage...but I'm confused..Under annylizing your data number three, It says "Use the calculated mass difference of the crushed food before and after extraction." Do I add the two, Before and after, together? Or do I do seperate problems? Does that make sense? thanks

Hi,

Sorry to be so long in answering your question.

The difference in weight of the food before and after acetone extraction is the number you want because that is equivalent to its fat content. The acetone dissolves the fat, and you remove it, so the difference in weight after extraction is equivalent to the amount of fat. You can express it as a percentage of the weight of the food before extraction.

Does this answer your question?

Sybee

Yes thanks!

You are very welcome!

If you have any other questions about your project please ask. Often your ideas are very useful because everyone looks at things in different ways. Our knowledge is limited and what passes for truth today may be changed when better information comes online. We welcome your questions and feedback because it helps us learn and do our work better.

Thanks for using Scibuddies!

Sybee