During this practical, we were experimenting with the combustion of alcohols and how efficiently

they used their energy. When looking at the data we will be looking at their uses in industry and
their ability to generate electricity.

Equipment

 Balance
 Tripod
 Metal gauze
 2 tins
 Beaker
 Water
 Thermometer
 Various spirt burners
 Heat proof mat

Method

Firstly set up the apparatus by placing an upside tin on a heat proof mat. Next the tripod should be
placed over the top with a metal gauze on across the hole. Now weigh the second tin and record the
value. Fill up the same tin with water (Tip: if you have a specific amount of water for each, use a
beaker to measure it accurately), and weigh that. Place a thermometer in the water and note the
initial temperature. Before laying the spirt burner on top of the upside down tin, weigh the burner.
Next light a split either from a busen burner or lighter and light the spirt burner. Let it burn for 5
minutes. Now record the temperature of the water, and measure the weight of the tin containing
the water and the spirt burner. Repeat this for each of the alcohols.

Do not use a glass container as the tin containing the water as it will expand and the mass and
volume will change throughout the recordings.

Risk assessment

Hazard Problem Solution

Burns When lighting the spirt burner, Make sure you light the
some may burner themselves or match at your desk and
someone else. warn everyone around you
that you have a flame.

These are the results that we collected.

Type of alcohol Initial End Initial mass End mass Initial mass End mass
temperature temperature of water of water of spirt of spirt
Butanol 24 46 164.43 163.30 107.32 104.43
Ethanol 24 39 175.45 175.00 114.40 111.84
 Propanol 25 48 211.17 210.54 121.47 117.76
Pentanol 25 62 174.50 172.34 140.47 135.63
Methanol 26 61 223.52 222.30 115.42 107.40

Mass of the tin = 40.02 and 40.7 (we used to different

To calculate the efficiencies we used tins)
(Useful output (j)/ total input (j)) X 100 SHC of water = 4200
And these to calculate the output input values SHC of heat and evaporation (j) = 2257000
Input = (difference in the masses of the alcohol) X ( SHC of water X 1000)

Output = (original mass of the water – mass of the tin / 1000) X SHC of water X TC

(Difference in the mass of the water / 1000) X SHC of heat and evaporation in (J)

SHC of the alcohols

Methanol = 22 Kg/Kj Ethanol =29.7 Kg/Kj Butanol = 36.1 Kg/Kj

Pentanol = 37.7 Kg/Kj Propanol = 33.6 Kg/Kj

alcohol output input Efficiency

Methanol 8.02 X 22000 = 176,440j 223.52 - 40.02/1000 = 0.1835 (5,225.29 / 176,440) X 100 = 2.96 %
0.1835 X 4200 X 35 = 2697.45
+ (1.12/1000) X 2257000 = 5,225.29
Butanol 2.89 X 36100 = 104329 164.42 - 40.02/1000 = 0.1244 (2550.41/104329) X 100 = 13.4 %
0.1244 X 4200 X 22 = 11494.56
+ ( 1.13/1000) X 2257000 = 2550.41
Ethanol 2.56 X 29700 = 76032 175.45 – 40.02/ 1000 = 0.13543 (9,547.74/76032) X 100 = 12.5 %
0.13543 X 4200 X 15 = 8532.09
+ (0.45/1000) X 2257000 = 9,547.74
Propanol 0.39 X 33600 = 113904 262.80 – 40.7/1000 = 0.2221 (17851.55/113904) X 100 = 15.6 %
0.2221 X 4200 X 18 = 16790.76
+ (0.47/1000) X 2257000 = 17851.55
Pentanol 4.84 X 377 = 182468 174.50 – 40.02/1000 = 0.1343 (25,745.94/182468) X 100 = 14.1 %
0.1343 X 4200 x 37 = 20870.82
+ (2.16/100) X 2257000 = 25,745.94
Figure 3 Figure 4
In order for the mass of the water to decrease, it needs to evaporate. To evaporate the particles
need energy to escape the liquid, therefore the waters entropy needs to increase

which is heated up the most, is the most likely to lose the most mass. As the average kinetic energy
has to increase to make the particles collide more. The particles need to travel fast than 750m/s. The
SHC of the alcohols are important as the amount of energy needed to heat the liquid 10c would
hinder the temperature that the liquid reaches.

To improve the experiment we could of used the same amount of water for each trial, this would of
given us more accurate results as the amount of particles, needing to be heated and moved would
have been the same. We could have also done more than one trial for each alcohol or used
secondary evidence. This would of given us a chance to see what the most efficient alcohol was for
other groups and see whether ours were accurate.

links to industry.