Team Color/Names:​ ____________________________ ​Date: ______________

Popcorn Lab
Mrs. Soto
Law of Conservation of Mass:
Matter cannot be created nor destroyed. The matter that one begins with must equal
the amount of matter that one ends with.

Can scientific laws be violated? ​ Circle ​YES​ or ​NO

Pre-Lab
Does a unpopped corn kernel have the same mass as a popped corn?
Circle ​YES​ or ​NO Explain:

Steps: In this experiment, you will be asked to count out 10 kernels of unpopped
popcorn. You will record the mass then pop the popcorn in a beaker. Then weigh the
popcorn after it is popped.

1. Formulate a ​QUESTION​ in regards to what this lab is investigating. (what will

happen…)

2. Formulate a HYPOTHESIS about the difference in mass of the popped and

unpopped kernels. Your hypothesis should include an ​educated guess​ as to why
the mass would be greater or less before or after the popping.

Procedure:
Safety Precautions: Use goggles while popping the popcorn kernels
1. Weigh the 500ml beaker/measuring cup on digital scale
2. Count out 10 unpopped kernels of popcorn
3. Weigh the unpopped kernels in 500ml beaker/measuring cup on digital scale
4. Pour 10 kernels into popcorn machine.
5. Put 10 kernels back into the 500ml beaker/measuring cup.
6. Weigh the popped kernels
Unpopped kernels mass(g)

Popped kernels mass (g)

500ml beaker/measuring cup

Make some observations: What happened to the kernels? How? Why?

2. Look at your data for the change above, did the starting mass equal the final
mass of the kernels?

Explain why using the law of conservation.

Did the kernel go through a physical or chemical change?