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Increasing the “Pop” in Popcorn

Investigate how pressure affects the volume of popped popcorn, comparing to industry standards. Learn about popcorn history and theories, observing practical applications in movie poppers and microwaves. Discover the optimal pressure for flake size and waste reduction.

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Increasing the “Pop” in Popcorn

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  1. Increasing the “Pop” in Popcorn Team Members: Sarah Bennedsen, David Chen, Woo Chang Chung, Jessica Dzindzio, Rashi Garg, Ashish Gupta, Christine Liu, Debanjan Pain, Rafi Shamim, Saba Qadir, David Zhao Advisor:Dr.Paul V. Quinn Sr. TA:Sally Warner

  2. Why Fluffier Popcorn? • Goal: Observe how popped volume of popcorn changes as pressure in popping chamber is lowered • Secondary Goals: • Examine physics of popping popcorn • Compare the popped volume to industry standards

  3. History of Popcorn • Origins: • Native American groups • 19th century carnivals • Food Industry: • Microwave • 17 billion quarts per year • Buy by weight, sell by volume

  4. Close-up of a Kernel and Water Vapor

  5. Popcorn Theory Pexternal Pexternal Vapor Pressure Reaches Pyield Water Vapor Pressure Pexternal Pyield Kernel Popcorn

  6. Adiabatic Expansion Principle: Solving for Vf: As Pf goes down, Vf goes up!

  7. Industry’s Parameters σ = π = ω =

  8. Pot Apparatus Diagram

  9. Pot Apparatus

  10. Movie Popper Diagram

  11. Movie Popper Apparatus

  12. Microwave Oven Diagram

  13. Microwave Oven Apparatus

  14. Expansion Volume (σ) vs. Pressure

  15. Flake Size (π) vs. Pressure 1 atm 30 inches of Hg below atm

  16. Waste (ω) vs. Pressure

  17. The Theoretical Model: π vs. Pressure • Predicts average volume per kernel under varying pressures • Derived from adiabatic expansion:

  18. Theoretical Model vs. Empirical Data

  19. σ at Pressure Extremes

  20. π at Pressure Extremes

  21. ω at Pressure Extremes

  22. Sources of Error Pot Apparatus Heating the pot Extended popping time • General • Sorting the kernels • Total volume • Movie Popper • Variable time • Burnt popcorn

  23. Sources of Error Microwave • Variable microwave strength • Burnt popcorn bags • Unpopped kernels • Temperature • Cooling the microwave • Bowl implosions

  24. Conclusion • Decreased pressure increases volume and flake size and decreases waste • Pressure affects microwave and pot most • 20 inches Hg below atmospheric pressure most cost effective • Industry comparisons

  25. Thank You John and Laura Overdeck The Edward W. and Stella C. Van Houten Memorial Fund The Dorr Foundation The Jennifer A. Chalsty Foundation NJGSS Alumnae and Parents 1984-2008 Corporate Matching Gifts: Abbott Laboratories, AT&T Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Sanofi Aventis, The Pew Charitable Trusts

  26. Questions? Questions?

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