Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My project is on burning calories;how much energy stored in differnt types of food by burning it, and capturing the heat given off in a homemade calorimeter.The foods I am using are nuts, marshmallows,popcorn,bread, and dry dog food.
My question is that I need prior research in this experiment,analysis of prior reserch and questions for future study. I already did all the research on the independent and dependent variables. I stated my rationale,research and research hypothesis.I just need to find past researchers and their outcomes to this experiment or similar.
Thank you
Rena

Dear Rena,

You should try going to google scholar (scholar.google.com) and type in calorimeter or related subjects. There probably won't be a lot of recent calorimeter studies that are as basic as just determining the amount of calories in a food because this technique was developed and perfected a while ago. There will probably be other variables involved in their experiments that deviate from just determining calorie content. Let me know if you need help understanding any of the journals or experimentation methods as I have done this experiment before.

good luck,
scienceexpert123

Dear Rena,

You have actually chosen a fairly common topic to investigate. I recalled a question on this forum from last year that was very simple. So I researched it an found a lot of information that will probably be useful to you.

As you are reading this post, if you look on the left side of the screen, near the top, you will see a button that says "POST REPLY". Just to the right of that button there is a text entry field that says "Search this topic..." I you type in there the word "calorimeter", you'll see a lost of posts on this forum discussing your topic.

I think you will learn a lot by reading what other students and experts have had to contribute in the recent past.

Have fun.

Ed Neu
Buffalo, MN