Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

will using plastic jars affect my experiment or do i have to use glass jars

thanks buddies



[Project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... -your-food]

Hello,

This looks like a fun project! Acetone will dissolve some types of plastic so glass, metal or ceramic are all good choices. If you have plastic that is marked PP (polypropylene) or HPDE (high-density polyethylene) these should be fine.

Good luck,

Audrey

thanks for answering ! i didnt think anyone was going to answer lol

what would be the dependent, independent, and controlled variables? thanks partner

hello Thotopic,
I've merged your last post with your previous questions so that the expert who has been helping you can see that you have a follow-up question. Please keep your posts together! Thank you.

thanks buddy

in fig. 1 (the big graph), how I calculate mass difference before and after extraction for the foods with acetone if the mass of crushed foods before extraction for foods with acetone is labeled empty? do I write the mass after extraction in the box?

thanks partners

when i put the fat content in the graph, do i put what the package says, even if the portion is bigger? for example, if the portion size is half the bag and the fat percentage is 13%, will my results be correct if i divide to find the fat percentage only for the 10 grams used in the experiment?
thanks buddies and it would be rad to receive an answer asap

Hello,

Sounds like you're making good progress with your project, that's awesome!

In Table 1 you'll calculate the "mass difference before and after extraction" for the foods with acetone by subtracting the "mass of empty jar" from the "mass of jar after extraction" (extracted fat after the acetone has evaporated). This will give you the mass of the fat you extracted.

Your suspicion that using the 13% listed on the package is correct! You'll need to calculate the fat percentage from the grams listed on the package - don't use the percentage already listed on the label, that tells you how much fat of your recommended total daily consumption is included in the portion size. Instead look at the grams of fat shown on the label and divide that by the grams in the portion size. This will tell you what percentage of that food is fat based on the label. You can compare this number to the number you calculated in Table 1.

Good luck!

Audrey

thanks for taking the time to answer! i just turned in my project though
i really appreciate it