Lab Name:

4.7. Percentage of Water in Popcorn Date: Score: /

Purpose
In this lab, students determine the percentage of water in popcorn kernels and calculate how many water
molecules are in a bag of popcorn.

Procedure
1. Remove the outer wrapper from the popcorn package. Weight a package of popcorn. Record the
mass in the Data Table below.
2. Microwave the popcorn according to the instructions on the package.
3. Open the package and let the contents cool for 2 minutes. Be careful to avoid the hot steam coming
out when you open it.
4. Weigh the popcorn bag again. Record the mass in the Data Table below.
5. Eat the popcorn. Weigh the mass of the empty bag. Record the mass in the Data Table below.
6. Clean all work surfaces and wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.

Data Table
Follow the procedure to collect data for the lab.

Step 1 Step 4 Step 5

mass of a package of popcorn mass of the package of popcorn
mass of the empty bag (g)
before popping (g) after popping (g)

Calculate the following:

mass of all kernels before mass of all kernels after mass of water that escaped as
popping (g) popping (g) vapor (g)

Chemistry 11 − 4.7. Lab: % of Water in Popcorn 1 © ontaonta.com Spring 2024

 Calculations
The percentage (%) of water in the popcorn

Percent error calculations

Post-Lab Analysis

1. Why didn’t all the popcorn pop? Explain your reason clearly.

2. How does the presence of unpopped kernels in the popped bag affect the percentage composition

of the water you calculated?

Chemistry 11 − 4.7. Lab: % of Water in Popcorn 2 © ontaonta.com Spring 2024