Marshmallows

3rd Period

Problem
Does the ratio of sugar to corn syrup affect
the amount of time a marshmallow takes to
dissolve in boiling water?

Research
Heat travels in many different ways
conduction, convection, and radiation in this
experiment the scientist has Conduction.
When sugar is added to water the sugar
crystals dissolve.
Corn syrup is made by enzymes that are
added to corn starch, and it is turned into a
mix of glucose, dextrose and maltose.

Hypothesis
The scientist hypothesizes that the
marshmallows will melt faster If you raise the
ratio of sugar to corn syrup, the sugar makes
the marshmallow dissolve quicker in boiling
water.

Materials
Square foil cake pan
Masking tape
Vegetable oil
Paper towels (1 roll)
Powdered sugar (3 cups)
Strainer, small
Large mixing bowl
Gelatin, plain (1 box)
Fork
saucepan with lid

Materials
Granulated sugar (10 cups)
Pure vanilla extract (5 tsp.)
Dry measuring cups
Candy thermometer
Electric mixer or beater
Timer
Pizza wheel
Spatula
Ruler air-tight containers (3)
Corn syrup (32 fl. oz.)

Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.

Get the ingredients

Make the different batches of marshmallows
Start to boil the water
Record the time it takes for each
marshmallow from the different batches to
dissolve
5. Record the data on a chart in the journal

Results
6
5
4

Batch 1

Batch 2
2
1
0
Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Conclusion
Out of all the batches batch 3 was the batch
that dissolved the fastest in boiling water, also
batch 3 was the brownest batch out of all.

Real Life Application

Maybe a person may have an allergic reaction
to too much sugar and the scientist is trying to
figure out just the right ratio of sugar to corn
syrup so she/he may be able to eat
marshmallows.

Glossary
Solution
Boiling point
Protein
Coagulate
Ratio
Force
Materials
Chemistry
Heat
Sugar

Glossary
Solution : the act of solving a problem,
question, etc.
Boiling Point : the temperature at which the
vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the
pressure of the atmosphere on the liquid.
Protein : any of numerous naturally occurring
nitrogen containing substances that consists
of chains of amino acids and are essential
constituents of all living cells.

Glossary
Coagulate : to change from a fluid into a
thickness mass, curdle, congeal.
Ratio : the relation between two similar
magnitudes with respect to the number of
times the first contains the second.
Force : physical power or strength applied to
an object.

Glossary
Materials : the substance of which a thing is
made or composed.
Chemistry : the science that deals with the
composition and properties of substances and
various forms of matter.
Heat : the condition or quality of being hot
Sugar : a sweet, crystalline substance obtained
chiefly from the juice of the sugarcane and the
sugar beet, used extensively as an ingredient and
flavoring of certain foods and as a fermenting
agent in the manufacture of certain beverages.

Bibliography
The World Encyclopeida,4 World Book Inc.;
Chicago, 2010
The World Encyclopedia,18 World Book Inc.;
Chicago, 2010
The World Encyclopedia,9 World Book Inc.;
Chicago, 2010
Mixing Your Own Marshmallows, Kristin
Strong, Science Buddies, 2010

Bibliography
TLC, Discovery Communications LCC, 2011
Eating Well, Nicki Micro, 2009