Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

well my experiment is trying to see if nutrion labels are correct by finding the sugar percentage of apple juice and comparing them..and my question is how do I actually test it to find out the percentage of sugar in the apple juice

Amanda_bqr wrote:well my experiment is trying to see if nutrion labels are correct by finding the sugar percentage of apple juice and comparing them..and my question is how do I actually test it to find out the percentage of sugar in the apple juice

If you google for "finding sugar content in juice experimentally" or something similar, you find a lot of procedures.

A nice one is:
http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/MS/SciProj98 ... TNEYA.HTML
but it requires access to a refractometer. This is how juice growers generally measure sugar content... they also use a unit of measurement called "brix". You should research that term as well...

Anyway, if you don't have access to a refractometer, you can make one yourself with a laser pointer. Science Buddies has a procedure for doing this measurement (measuring sugar content of liquid) with a home built refractometer at:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... p028.shtml

Whenever you are using a laser or strong sources of light, be very careful with your eyes. Read the instructions carefully, including the laser safety guide (linked to from the experiment) and make sure you understand everything before you begin.

You may want to test a couple of home made solutions of sugar and water as well, as standards. Also, make sure your juice is as clear as possible. (See the variation in the science buddies webpage where you add a pinch of creamer to make the liquid cloudy... A very cloudy solution (like cider) may not work well)

Be sure to include the appropriate citations to whatever websites you use in your report.

Good luck.
Louise

Thank you! ...the information really helped!!

Amanda_bqr wrote: Thank you! ...the information really helped!!

Glad it helped!

Louise