Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Hayley P.
status       student
age          11

Question -   Can you tell me if there is a way to measure fermentation? The amount or rate?
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A typical way is to bubble the CO2 produced by fermentation into an inverted water-filled 
container graduated cylinder that is calibrated in ml. The volume of water displaced is 
approximately the volume of CO2 displaced (neglecting solubility of CO2 in water). This is 
proportional to the degree of fermentation.

Vince Calder
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