An investigation into energy released during heating with a range of alcoholic fuels

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An investigation into energy released during heating with a range of alcoholic fuels

By Michael Finley, 11LY

PLANNING

This experiment is designed to determine which fuel out of the eight tested releases the most energy, to determine which is best. We will be using Ethanol, Propan-1-ol, Butan-1-ol, Pentan-1-ol, Hexan-1-ol and Octan-1-ol.

METHOD

In order to collect the results, I will need to heat up some water with a micro burner powered by each alcoholic fuel. I will need to weigh the fuel before and after the experiments to see how much of the fuel has been used up. I will also need to take the temperature of the water before and after the experiment to see how much the temperature changed. The two changes should allow me to see which fuel releases the most energy.

I will do the experiment three times and collect the results, and take the average. I will also do preliminary tests and make changes to the equipment set up based on the results.

I will need to keep the volume of water the same each time. Also, the distance between the flame and the boiling tube will be