Frozen Popcorn
Name:
Period:
Date:
Directions: Use the following information to complete the steps of the scientific
process.
Cecelia heard on a TV cooking show that freezing popcorn kernels before popping them affected
the total number of kernels that popped. Plan a new investigation (experiment) for the following
question
Question: What effect does starting temperature of microwave popcorn have on the number of
un-popped kernels?
responding
manipulated
2/2
Hypothesis (prediction): If you freeze popcorn kernels before popping them, then less will
pop because it will take longer for the temperature in the kernel to rise to popping temperature.
Materials:


Freezer
Refrigerator


Microwave
9 bags microwave
popcorn

Sorting bowls
Procedure:
Plan a controlled experiment to answer the question in the box. You may
use any materials and equipment in your procedure
In your procedure, be sure to include:





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logical steps to do the experiment
one controlled (kept the same) variable
one manipulated (independent) variable
one responding (dependent) variable
how often measurements should be taken and recorded
Procedure: Manipulated Variable: Temp of Popcorn Responding Variable: Un-popped kernels
Control Variables: Brand of Popcorn, microwave cooking time, Time in fridge/freezer/room
1. Gather materials and note safety concerns.
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2. Place 3 bags popcorn in freezer, 3 bags in refrigerator, and 3 bags at room temperature
for at least 1 hour.
3. Take 1 room temperature bag and pop the popcorn for 3 minutes (or push the popcorn
button).
4. Carefully remove popcorn and allow time to cool, then count un-popped kernels and
record in table.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 two more times for trials 2 and 3 and calculate average.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for refrigerated popcorn bags and frozen popcorn bags.
7. Clean up materials.
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Data:
Temp
(Celcius)
Room 20
Fridge 5
Freezer -10
Un-popped Kernels
Number of Un-Popped Kernels in Microwave Popcorn
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
15
27
18
20
51
68
49
56
165
135
117
139
Write a conclusion for this investigation.
In your conclusion, be sure to:



Answer the investigative question.
Include supporting data from the table.
Explain how these data support your conclusion.
Question: What effect does starting temperature of microwave popcorn have on the number of unpopped kernels?
Conclusion:
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My hypothesis was correct. The frozen popcorn had more un-popped kernels with an average of
139. The refrigerated popcorn had about half as much with 56 un-popped kernels. The popcorn
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with 20 un-popped kernels was heated from room temperature. There was a difference of 119
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un-popped kernels between the frozen popcorn and room temperature popcorn. I believe more
kernels were able to pop when starting from room temperature because they were able to get
warmer on the inside. I would be interested in repeating this experiment, but changing the
method of preparing the popcorn.
Hyp.
Fall
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KMS Science Assessment Tracking
Winter
Concl.
Hyp.
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Spring
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