I.

3
INS
II. DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLE GE
III.

Institute of Aquatic and Applied Sciences

Name: Sheila Mae R. Erispe Date Performed: September 26, 2019

Date Submitted: October 07, 2019
ACTIVITY 2
THE PROPERTIES OF ALCOHOL AND HEAT ENERGY FROM ALCOHOL
I. INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES
Alcohol are any of a class of organic compounds characterized by one or more hydroxyl
(―OH) groups attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group (hydrocarbon chain). Alcohols may
be considered as organic derivatives of water (H2O) in which one of the hydrogen atoms has been
replaced by an alkyl group, typically represented by R in organic structures.. Most of the common
alcohols are colorless liquids at room temperature. Where the methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol,
and isopropyl alcohol are free-flowing liquids with fruity odors. The higher alcohols—those
containing 4 to 10 carbon atoms—are somewhat viscous, or oily, and they have heavier fruity
odors. Some of the highly branched alcohols and many alcohols containing more than 12 carbon
atoms are solids at room temperature.
The general formula of alcohols is CnH2n+1OH, where n is a number. Alcohols are also
referred to as Alkanols. The simplest alcohol contains a single Carbon atom and is called
Methanol. Its molecular Formula is CH3OH. As we move down the homologous series of alcohols,
the number of Carbon atoms Increase. Each alcohol molecule differs by –CH2; a single Carbon
atom and two Hydrogen atoms.
The objective of this experiment are the following :

 To differentiate the different types of alcohols in terms of:

a. Heat energy from different samples of alcohol
b. Properties of alcohols
 To determine and observe the reaction of different samples of alcohol in water, and
potassium dichromate (VI) solution.
 To determine the pH and flammability of every sample of alcohol

II. METHODOLOGY
II.a Heat Energy from Alcohols

The researchers measured 100 mL The alcohols namely ethanol, methanol,

of tap water into a conical flask tert-butanol and isopropyl were put in
an alcohol lamp and weighed.

The alcohol lamp were placed

below the conical flask and the The researchers lighted the lamp and
initial temperature of water were allowed the water to heat up to 40°c
recorded.
 After reaching 40°c, the remaining
alcohol were weighed and
recorded.

II.b Properties of Alcohol

The researchers mixed 5 drops of alcohol

and 5 drops of water in a test-tube and
then observed.

pH determination

The researchers put two drops of the

alcohol in a pH paper then recorded its
pH.

FLAMABILITY TEST

The researchers put 10 drops of different

alcohols in an evaporating dish and
lighted. Then observed.

OXIDATION

The researchers put 5 mL of diluted

sulfuric acid in a test tube, added five
drops of potassium dichromate solution
and added two drops of ethanol and
methanol and heated until boils. Then
observed if there is any changes in terms
of its smell.
 III. RESULTS

Table 1. Heat energy from alcohols

Sample Alcohols Mass before heating Mass after heating Initial temperature of
H2O
Ethanol 193.148 189.831 31°
Isopropanol 183.761 183.032 32°
Tert-butanol 182.152 181.032 32°
Methanol 187.374 180.883 33°
Table 2. Immiscibility of alcohol with water

Sample Alcohols Solubility Drops of water Drops of alcohol

Ethanol Miscible with water 5 5
Isopropyl Miscible with water 5 5
Tert-butanol Miscible with water 5 5
Methanol Miscible with water 5 5
Table 3. Test for pH Determination

Sample Alcohols pH Drops

Ethanol 5 2
Isopropyl 5 2
Tert-butanol 6 2
Methanol 5 2

Table 4. Test for flammability of Alcohols

Sample Alcohols Color of flame Seconds until the fire Drops of alcohol
disappear
Ethanol Light orange and Light 8 10
blue
Isopropyl Light orange 21 10
Tert-butanol Orange 8 10
Methanol Light orange 10 10

Table 5. Oxidation Test with Acidified Dichromate Solution

Sample Alcohols Reaction

Ethanol From yellow orange to light blue and from odorless to odorous
Methanol From yellow orange to light blue and from odorless to odorous

IV. DISCUSSION

The alcohols are highly flammable. But it is evident that each has different chemical
structures and has different number of carbons. In this activity, alcohols are tested on how much
heat energy is produced by burning them. Ethanol, Isopropyl, Tert-butanol and methanol are
examples of alcohols and had undergone combustion to determine which produces more energy
either per gram or per mole. In addition alcohols also are soluble in water but both are weak basis
and acid. Ethanol is easily soluble in water and itself is a good solvent. Then then isopropyl also
called 2-propanol although miscible with water it still is insoluble in salt solutions that has a poor
ability to shield opposite changes and keep them separated. Lastly the methanol which is a highly
polar substance is also miscible in water the reason why these alcohols are soluble in water is
due to the hydroxyl group in the alcohol which is able to form hydrogen bonds with water
molecules. Alcohols with a smaller hydrocarbon chain are very soluble. As the length of the
hydrocarbon chain increases, the solubility in water decreases. As for the pH determination of the
alcohols the order of acidity of various liquid alcohols generally is water > primary > secondary >
tertiary ROH. By this we mean that the equilibrium position for the proton-transfer reaction lies
more on the side of ROH as R is changed from primary to secondary to tertiary; therefore, tert-
butyl alcohol is considered less acidic than ethanol. Acidity of alcohols therefore decreases as
the size of the conjugate base increases. However, “naked” gaseous ions are more stable the
larger the associated R groups, probably because the larger R groups can stabilize the charge
on the oxygen atom better than the smaller R groups. Alcohols are highly flammable (with flash
points below 100 degrees F). Especially dangerous are methanol and ethyl alcohol, because of
their wide flammability limits. The ethanol burns clearly than many other fuels when fully
combusted its products are only carbon dioxide and water. The isopropyl is flammable both in
liquid and vapor form whereas the tert-butyl and methanol are also flammable. The flammability
of alcohols decrease as the size and mass of the molecules increases. Combustion breaks the
covalent bonds of the molecules, so as the size and mass of the molecules increases, there are
more covalent bonds to break in order to burn that alcohol. Hence, more energy is required to
break the bonds, therefore the flammability of alcohols decrease as size and mass of molecules
increases. And as for oxidation test with Acidified Dichromate Solution the orange solution
containing the dichromate(VI) ions is reduced to a green solution containing chromium(III) ions.
Primary alcohols can be oxidized to either aldehydes or carboxylic acids, depending on the
reaction conditions. In the case of the formation of carboxylic acids, the alcohol is first oxidized to
an aldehyde, which is then oxidized further to the acid. The ethanol as a typical primary alcohol
which is colorless and odorless liquid would produce the aldehyde ethanol, CH3CHO. Its reaction
is visible from the change of color to light blue. The methanol taken as the second sample is a
colorless volatile liquid that has an alcoholic odor when pure while crude material may have a
repulsive pungent odor. Methanol burns with a non-luminous bluish flame.

V. ANSWER TO QUESTIONS

1.Which alcohol produces the most energy per gram?

Answer: Theoretically, the alcohol with highest carbon-chain produces the most energy per gram
this is because when a bond is broken energy is released and in the experiment, the alcohol with
the most carbon-chain is tert-butanol.

2.Which alcohol produces the most energy per mole?

Answer: Same concept as in question number 1, the alcohol with the highest carbon-chain
produces the most energy per mole and the alcohol with the most carbon-chain is tert-butanol.

3.Write equations for the complete combustion of each alcohol.

Answer:
Methanol:
2CH3OH + O2 → 2CO2 + 4H2O

Ethanol:
2CH3CH2OH + 6O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O

Isopropyl alcohol:
2C(CH3)2OH + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 8H2O

Tert-butanol:
2(CH3)3COH + 12O2 → 8CO2 + 10H2O

4.Propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol are isomers (same molecular formula, different structures) Do they
produce the same amount of heat on combustion?

Answer: Although they have the same molecular formula, because of their different structure, the
produce different amount of heat on combustion. 2-propanol has hydroxyl group attached to the
second carbon-chain enabling it to have a compact molecular structure compared to 1-propanol. 1-
propanol produces approximately 1,370 kJ/mol while 2-propanol produces approximately 2005.1
kJ/mol.

5.Does all the heat produced by combustion go into raising the temperature of the water?

Answer: Not all heat produced by combustion go into raising the temperature of the water.
Because of the height of the tripod used in the experiment, the flame did not reach the base
directly. Heat was very lost easily and the heat intended to raise the temperature of the water was
lost.

6.Is it possible that combustion may be incomplete, giving carbon monoxide amongst the
products? (Stress the dangers of this.)

Answer: Incomplete combustion may occur when oxygen is not in excess or when there is lack of
oxygen. As it gives carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, it may cause CO poisoning which is very harmful
when inhaled in large amounts. Carbon monoxide reduces hemoglobin's (a pigment/protein in our blood
that carries oxygen) ability to carry oxygen around our body, essentially starving our organs of oxygen. It
also contributes to the addition of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that greatly affects climate
change.
7.Alcohols can be used as a substitute for hydrocarbon fuels, and so methods of producing
alcohols are very important. What process converts sugar into alcohol - and carbon dioxide?
Answer : Alcoholic fermentation is the biological process in which sugars (glucose, fructose)
are converted into cellular energy and into ethanol and carbon dioxide as waste .

VI.CONCLUSIONS

Alcohols serves as fuel because of their capabilities to produce heat energy. Alcohols are
came from the family of hydrocarbons that contain the –OH group. And it is highly flammable and
the energy that release from the alcohol is due to the oxygen and carbon and hydrogen that reacts
with the fire. Their distinct properties and structure when it comes to molecular and chemical
property. The ethanol is a flammable, colorless liquid with a boiling point of 78.5° C. Its low melting
point of -114.5° C allows it to be used in antifreeze products. It has a pleasant odor reminiscent
of whiskey Its density is 789 g/l about 20% less than that of water. It is easily soluble in water and
is itself a good solvent. In addition, according to (Amin, et al, 2012) ethanol is a simple alcohol,
also referred to as ethyl alcohol or drinking alcohol. Ethanol is an alcohol with the chemical formula
C2H6OH and has a molar mass 46.07 g/mole. Ethanol can be used as a fuel since it can produce
heat energy as a result of alcohol combustion. In the other hand, the methanol is considered as
the simplest alcohol that a chemical formula CH3OH is also known as methyl alcohol with a molar
mass 32.04 g/mole (Campbell, et al, 2015).methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha
or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH. It is the simplest alcohol,
and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is
somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol. A methanol flame is almost colorless, causing an
additional safety hazard around open methanol flames. While, isopropyl alcohol has a chemical
formula C3H7OH with a molecular weight of 60.09 g/mole, is a volatile, flammable, clear, colorless
liquid which has a slight odor resembling that of mixture of ethanol and acetone. It has a bitter
taste. Although miscible with water, other alcohols, ether, and chloroform, it is insoluble in salt
solutions. Tert-butyl on the other hand has a chemical formula C4H9OH, is a colorless oily liquid
with a sharp alcohol odor. Floats and mixes with water. Produces irritating vapor. Freezing point
is 78˚F. From yellowish to light bluish color and from citrus smell-like odor to odorless.. raise
water’s temperature by a fixed amount, different masses of alcohols will be lost. There are
different samples of alcohol with distinct uses and properties but they have something in common.
Most of them are colorless and have distinct odor with same pH that make them acidic and it has
cooling effect when you touch. The alcohol feels cold because of a process called evaporative
cooling. Alcohols is homogenous product when added water. It will give a uniform appearance.

VII. REFERENCES

Clark Jim. (June 15, 2019). The Oxidation of Alcohols. Retrieved from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_
Chemistry)/Alcohols/Reactivity_of_Alcohols/The_Oxidation_of_Alcohols

John D. Robert and Marjorie C. Caserio (1977) Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry, second
edition. W. A. Benjamin, Inc. , Menlo Park, CA. ISBN 0-8053-8329-8.

Science and Technology of Fruit Wine Production (2017) Retrieved

fromhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/alcoholic-
fermentation

Patton, P, (2019) The temperature of Rubbing

Alcohol.https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/temperature-rubbing-alcohol/

Amin, et al, (2012) Ethanol.https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Ethanol

Campbell, et al, (2015) Methanol.https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Methanol