combustion of alcohols

When fuels are burned, they release heat. However, not all fuels produce the same amount of heat during combustion. In this experiment, you will compare the energy released by ethanol, propanol, butanol, and pentanol by measuring the temperature increase of a known mass of water heated using a spirit burner.

aim

investigate the temperature rise produced in a known mass of water by the combustion of the alcohols ethanol, propanol, butanol and pentanol

equipment

• spirit burner

• conical flask

• measuring cylinder

• draft shield

• thermometer

• balance

• glass rod

setup

measure and record the mass of the ethanol spirit burner

measure 100cm³ of cold water in measuring cylinder and pour into conical flask

clamp conical flask above spirit burner

use draft shields around setup

place thermometer in water

steps

1. record initial water temperature

2. remove burner cap and light it

3. constantly stir water to prevent hot and cold spots

4. once temperature has risen 40 degrees C, place the cap back on the burner

5. record the final mass of the spirit burner

6. find the change in mass

7. can repeat for different alcohols