Alexandra Saravia

Period zero
Biology, Mr. Rodecker

Comparing the mass, volume and length of

uncooked and cooked popcorn

How does the mass, volume, and length of popcorn change

before and after popping?

A 250 mL graduated cylinder, popcorn, a hot air popcorn popper,

a 10 mL graduated cylinder, a metric ruler, a balance, and a large
container to collect popcorn were needed to proceed with the
laboratory.

The purpose of conducting this experiment was to observe and

later compare the changes in mass, volume and size and other
changing characteristics of popcorn before and after being cooked.

A ten mL graduated cylinder is placed on a balance and

measured and recorded. Then, ten mL of uncooked popcorn are
poured into the graduated cylinder then measured on the balance and
recorded again. Ten of those seeds are aligned in a line and then
measured in millimeters by a metric ruler. All is put back into the
graduated cylinder; the seeds are poured into the hot air popcorn
popper and popped. Meanwhile, the 250 mL graduated cylinder is
measured on the balance. When all the popcorn is popped it is placed
into the 250 mL graduated cylinder and weighed and recorded once
again. Ten pieces of cooked popcorn and the aligned and measured by
the metric ruler.

Mass of Graduated Mass of 10 mL Graduated Mass of uncooked popcorn (g)

Cylinder + Uncooked Popcorn Cylinder (g)
(g)
35.6 28 7.6
Mass of 250 mL Graduated Mass of 250 mL Graduated Mass of Popcorn (g)
Cylinder + Cooked Popcorn (g) Cylinder (g)
185.5 180 5.5
 The table above displays the changes in mass which occurred
before and after the popping of the popcorn. Based on the results, the
mass of the popcorn decreases after being popped. There was a 38%
change in the mass of the popcorn.

Volume of Uncooked Popcorn Volume of Cooked (mL) % Change

(mL)
10 270 2600.00%

The table above displays the volume change between the uncooked
and cooked popcorn. The volume from the uncooked to cooked
popcorn changes dramatically.

Uncooked popcorn length (mm) Cooked popcorn length (mm)

6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19
6.8 19

In the above table the length of uncooked and cooked is shown

changing. The average length of the uncooked popcorn is 6.8mm and
the average length of the cooked popcorn length is 19 mm. The
change in length is 179%.
 Length 179

Volume 2600 % Change

Mass 38

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

The graph above expresses the percentage changes in length,

volume, and mass in uncooked and cooked popcorn.

Analysis of the recorded data shows that when popcorn is

popped, the length and volume of the popcorn increase while the
mass of the popcorn decreases as it is popped. As it is shown in the
tables and graphs, the greatest change occurred in volume, the
volume went from 10 to 270, a 2600% change.

Throughout the entire experiment the changes in popcorn when

cooked were observed by measuring the length and mass of uncooked
seeds, then popping them and comparing to the previously recorded
results. The data showed that there were many changes between the
two stages.