Team 7 Popcorn Physics

Thermodynamics of Popcorn: 

Thermodynamics of Popcorn Michael Bachmann, Tony Ghaly, Kathlyn Herrick, Sean Rodney Ireland, Brian Lewis, Mohit Moondra, Neel Patel, Evan Rosenman, Juliet Savits Advisor: Paul Victor Quinn Sr. Assistant: Evan Kimberly

History of Popcorn: 

History of Popcorn New Mexico’s Bat Cave Aztecs The Great Depression Movie Theaters

Why Fluffier Popcorn?: 

Why Fluffier Popcorn? The demand for corn is skyrocketing Biofuel consumes about 1/4 of corn crop Price has risen from ≈$2.40 to over $3.30 Tortilla prices in Mexico have doubled Efficient popcorn is paramount 40% rise in popcorn prices from 2006 to 2007 S D

Why Fluffier Popcorn? (cont’d): 

Why Fluffier Popcorn? (cont’d) 30% of popcorn is consumed outside the home About 5 BILLION quarts at films, stadiums, etc. Prepopped popcorn is also popular in the home Economies of scale are possible A 10-15% efficiency rise could mean big profit rise for 36 oz. popper High market value of popcorn would offset the cost of vacuum Few cents of corn pop a $5 dollar bucket

Thermodynamics: 

Thermodynamics Ideal Gas PV=nRT Adiabatic Process P1V1γ= P2V2γ .

Goals: 

Goals Increase size of popped kernels (π) Increase volume per mass (σ) Decrease number of unpopped kernels (ω)

Microwave Apparatus: 

Microwave Apparatus

Microwave ApparatusProcedure: 

Microwave ApparatusProcedure 10 g. bag samples in microwave chamber Vacuum pump reduces pressure Pop for 2 minutes 15 seconds Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure: 

Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure: 

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure: 

Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure

Variables Affecting Microwave: 

Variables Affecting Microwave Age of popcorn kernels Limitations of bags Lifetime of microwave Inconsistency with timing

Movie Maker Apparatus: 

Movie Maker Apparatus

Movie Maker ApparatusProcedure: 

Movie Maker ApparatusProcedure 85 g. samples Vacuum pump lowers pressure Release vacuum after popping Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

Slide 15: 

Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure : 

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

The Popcorn Pot: 

The Popcorn Pot

Popcorn Pot Procedure: 

Popcorn Pot Procedure Pre-heat 20 minutes 20 g. samples Vacuum pump lowers pressure Periodically shake pot Release vacuum and turn off heat Measure volume and calculate σ, π, ω

Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure : 

Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure : 

Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure

Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure: 

Waste Percentage (ω) vs. Pressure

Slide 23: 

Decreased pressure increased volume.

Slide 24: 

Decreased pressure increased individual flake size.

Slide 25: 

Decreased pressure decreased percent waste for microwave and popcorn pot.

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Decreased pressure resulted in increased volume Microwave best demonstrated theory Movie Maker is most practical application