Why there are different amounts of energy released for popcorn and peanuts
Peanuts and Popcorn comprise of different molecular compounds which contribute to their different amounts of energy given off during what should have occured during the experiment. For example, Popcorn comprises mainly of simple carbohydrates, whereas the peanut is comprised of proteins and lipids which contain higher energy densities. The differing energy densities of lipids and carbohydrates ultimately come down to the different oxidation numbers on the different molecules since the Carbons in the Lipids have a higher oxidation number, which leads to a higher energy density than the lower oxidation numbers of Carbohydrates(2). The energy density of Lipids versus Carbohydrates ultimately boils down to Redox Reactions and the movement of electrons in reduction and oxidation reactions between organic molecules. For example, the ten Carbon atoms which are connected to two Hydrogens and two Carbons in the large Lipid chain for the molecule known as Palmitic Acid have an oxidation number of negative two, …show more content…
Oxidation reactions release energy because they achieve a point of lower potential energy when the give off the electrons. That energy given off can then be used to turn Adenosine Diphosphate into Adenosine Triphosphate, which can then be used to power the cell’s functions(5). For example, Palmitic Acid, which was mentioned earlier has more electrons surrounding each Carbon atom than Glucose. The Palmitic Acid has the possibility to undergo many oxidation reactions, each releasing some of its hydrogens as well as its excess electrons. However, Glucose cannot undergo nearly as many oxidation reactions to give off energy as Palmitic acid since the electron density is much less than that of the Lipid. Ultimately, this lower electron density leads to a lower calories per ounce than the
Peanuts and Popcorn comprise of different molecular compounds which contribute to their different amounts of energy given off during what should have occured during the experiment. For example, Popcorn comprises mainly of simple carbohydrates, whereas the peanut is comprised of proteins and lipids which contain higher energy densities. The differing energy densities of lipids and carbohydrates ultimately come down to the different oxidation numbers on the different molecules since the Carbons in the Lipids have a higher oxidation number, which leads to a higher energy density than the lower oxidation numbers of Carbohydrates(2). The energy density of Lipids versus Carbohydrates ultimately boils down to Redox Reactions and the movement of electrons in reduction and oxidation reactions between organic molecules. For example, the ten Carbon atoms which are connected to two Hydrogens and two Carbons in the large Lipid chain for the molecule known as Palmitic Acid have an oxidation number of negative two, …show more content…
Oxidation reactions release energy because they achieve a point of lower potential energy when the give off the electrons. That energy given off can then be used to turn Adenosine Diphosphate into Adenosine Triphosphate, which can then be used to power the cell’s functions(5). For example, Palmitic Acid, which was mentioned earlier has more electrons surrounding each Carbon atom than Glucose. The Palmitic Acid has the possibility to undergo many oxidation reactions, each releasing some of its hydrogens as well as its excess electrons. However, Glucose cannot undergo nearly as many oxidation reactions to give off energy as Palmitic acid since the electron density is much less than that of the Lipid. Ultimately, this lower electron density leads to a lower calories per ounce than the