PLAN
I am going to investigate that if the number of carbon atoms in an alkane effect the amount of heat released. The alkanes that I will use are Pentane (C5 H12 ), Hexane (C6 H14 ), Heptane (C7 H16 ) and Nonane (C9 H26 ). The formula that I will use to find the heat released is :-
Mass (g) x Specific Heat Capacity (4.2/J/g/°C) x Temperature Rise (°C)
? Mass of Fuel
The variables that might effect this investigation are :-
* type of flame
* amount of water
* length of time
* thermometer not started at room temperature
* amount of the alkane
* size of beaker holding the alkane
* height from flame to beaker
Prediction
Alkanes are called saturated hydrocarbons because they only have single bonds between carbon atoms and are known to be in the homologous series, individuals are known as homologs. Alkanes burn in a plentiful supply of air to release energy (this is why they are used as fuels). I predict that the fewer amounts of carbon atoms in the alkane will raise the amount of heat energy released. My research says, the larger the molecule the higher the melting and boiling point, because of the stronger forces of attraction between the molecules. These forces increase as the size of the molecule increases. As the number of carbon atoms in the molecule gets bigger, these molecules are less volatile and more viscous. Alkanes are not very reactive, but they burn well in oxygen. Their reaction with oxygen is called a combustion reaction and it is highly exothermic.
I am going to investigate that if the number of carbon atoms in an alkane effect the amount of heat released. The alkanes that I will use are Pentane (C5 H12 ), Hexane (C6 H14 ), Heptane (C7 H16 ) and Nonane (C9 H26 ). The formula that I will use to find the heat released is :-
Mass (g) x Specific Heat Capacity (4.2/J/g/°C) x Temperature Rise (°C)
? Mass of Fuel
The variables that might effect this investigation are :-
* type of flame
* amount of water
* length of time
* thermometer not started at room temperature
* amount of the alkane
* size of beaker holding the alkane
* height from flame to beaker
Prediction
Alkanes are called saturated hydrocarbons because they only have single bonds between carbon atoms and are known to be in the homologous series, individuals are known as homologs. Alkanes burn in a plentiful supply of air to release energy (this is why they are used as fuels). I predict that the fewer amounts of carbon atoms in the alkane will raise the amount of heat energy released. My research says, the larger the molecule the higher the melting and boiling point, because of the stronger forces of attraction between the molecules. These forces increase as the size of the molecule increases. As the number of carbon atoms in the molecule gets bigger, these molecules are less volatile and more viscous. Alkanes are not very reactive, but they burn well in oxygen. Their reaction with oxygen is called a combustion reaction and it is highly exothermic.
