Summative Assessment
Data Set 1
Students are provided with 2 data tables. The first data table gives standard modified atmospheric packaging
gas mixtures. After analyzing this data table, students should reach the conclusion that nitrogen gas is the most
important packaging gas. The numbers for carbon dioxide and oxygen are equivalent. Therefore students can make
arguments based on chemical properties of either compound to choose the next most important gas.
Should a group argue that the order of importance is nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and finally oxygen, a multiplier
could be assigned to calculate an overall score. By using multipliers, students will encounter a 3 way tie. For example, if
the number 3 is assigned to nitrogen gas, 2 to carbon dioxide, and 1 to oxygen gas you encounter the following results:
Cocoa Encrusted Dumpling Filled with Fresh Fruit
MAP Gas Mixture( MAP GM): Modified Atmospheric Packaging
Gas Formula
MAP GM1
MAP GM2
MAP GM3
MAP GM4
MAP GM5
% Oxygen Gas
Content
25
30
25
20
25
% Nitrogen
Gas Content
40
50
45
40
35
% Carbon
Dioxide Gas
Content
35
20
30
40
40
Oxygen x
1
25
30
25
20
25
Nitrogen x
3
120
150
135
120
105
Carbon
Dioxide
x2
70
40
60
80
80
Total
215
220
220
220
210
As you can see MAP GM2, MAP GM3, and MAP GM 4 are all tied at 220. At this point students will need to make a
decision on which gas is the most important, determine a ranking on that decision, and explain their rational.
Data Set 2
In Data Set 2, nitrogen gas has been replaced by argon and by helium gas. Students are asked to conduct a cost analysis
on each of the formulas and determine which has the best for overall cost and performance. The calculations were
made for 1000 gram mixtures. Each formula was calculated as follows:
General Equation: (% gas content x 10) x (cost/100 g of gas)
Note: The % gas content multiplied by 10 will give you the mass in grams of that percentage of gas in 1000 grams.
For example: 25% O2 x 10 = 250 grams of O2, which is the percentage of O2 in 1000 grams of formula.
Example: MAP GM1 with Argon gas was calculated in the following way:
O2 – 250 grams O2 x $0.03/100 g O2 = $0.075
Ar – 100 grams Ar x $0.05/100 g Ar = $0.05
CO2 – 650 grams CO2 x $ 0.35/100 g CO2 = $2.275
Total Cost = 0.075 + 0.20 + 1.23 = $2.40
Cocoa Encrusted Dumpling Filled with Fresh Fruit Cost
MAP Gas Mixture( MAP GM): Modified Atmospheric
Packaging
Gas
Formula
MAP GM1
MAP GM2
MAP GM3
MAP GM4
MAP GM5
%
Oxygen
Gas
Content
25
30
25
40
50
% Argon Gas
Content
10
5
5
10
5
% Carbon
Dioxide Gas
Content
65
65
70
50
45
Cocoa Encrusted Dumpling Filled with Fresh Fruit
MAP Gas Mixture( MAP GM): Modified Atmospheric
Packaging
Gas
Formula
%
Oxygen
Gas
Content
MAP GM1
MAP GM2
MAP GM3
MAP GM4
MAP GM5
25
40
25
30
50
Total Cost Calculated for 1000 g Batch
Cost of
Oxygen
Cost of
Helium
Cost of
Carbon
Dioxide
Total
Cost
Oxygen
0.075
0.09
0.075
0.12
0.15
Argon
0.05
0.025
0.025
0.05
0.025
Carbon
Dioxide
2.275
2.275
2.45
1.75
1.575
Total
2.4
2.39
2.55
1.92
1.75
Total Cost Calculated for 1000 g Batch
Cost of
Oxygen
Cost of
Helium
Cost of
Carbon
Dioxide
Total
Cost
Total
3.195
2.715
3.69
4.025
4.375
% Helium Gas
Content
% Carbon
Dioxide Gas
Content
Oxygen
Helium
Carbon
Dioxide
1
1
2
3
5
74
59
73
67
45
0.075
0.12
0.075
0.09
0.15
0.53
0.53
1.06
1.59
2.65
2.59
2.065
2.555
2.345
1.575
As per the total cost, students should choose one of the argon mixtures since they are by far the cheaper formula.