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Calculating the energy in nuts



Introduction

A producer is an organism which synthesis organic molecules from inorganic molecules, using an external energy e.g. photosynthesis. Photosynthesis requires light, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide and water to be carried out, and it is the process by which photosynthetic organisms i.e. plants produce their own food (energy) and for the consumers of the following trophic levels.
Some of this energy is passed on through seeds. The formation of the seed completes the process of reproduction in seed plants (started with the development of flowers and pollination), with the embryo developed from the zygote and the seed coat from the integuments of the ovule. These contain a food store, which provides energy for the consumers.
Nut is the general term for the dry and oily seeds of plants (e.g. peanut, cashew, walnut, and almond). These are generally rich in oils such as omega-3, which have proven to be beneficial for health. The energy stored in these nuts will be passed on along a food chain.



Materials

 Clamp Stand
 Balance
 Matches
 Boiling tubes
 Measuring cylinder
 Mounted needle
 Thermometer
 Spirit burner
 Whole walnut
 Almonds

Method

1. Put 20cm of water in a boiling tube.
2. Place the tube onto the clamp stand.
3. Place the thermometer in the boiling tube. Record the temperature of the water.
4. Obtain a nut. Determine and record its mass.
5. Push the nut carefully onto the mounted needle.
6. Light the spirit burner. Start the nut burning.
7. Quickly, but carefully, move the nut out of the flame and hold it beneath the boiling tube
8. Allow the water to be heated until the nut stops burning....