The energy released when different alcohols are burned

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Chemistry coursework

The energy released when different alcohols are burned

Experimental results for the combustion of alcohols

Methanol

Ethanol

Propanol

Butanol

Mass of spirit lamp & fuel at start

75.89

88.33

79.67

66.54

Mass of spirit lamp & fuel at end

74.8

87.32

78.71

65.6

Mass of alcohol burned

.09

.01

0.96

0.94

Mass of water heated up

00

00

00

00

Temperature of water at the start

25

23

25

24

Temperature of water at the end

50

48

50

49

Temperature rise

25

25

25

25

The experimental results for each alcohol

Using our results, we could calculate how much heat was produced in the burning of each alcohol. The reaction is exothermic, as more energy is needed to make bonds

The results

The alcohol

The energy released in the combustion of that alcohol

(KJmol )

Methanol

423.85

Ethanol

478.22

Propanal

656.25

Butanol

826.60

The theoretical results for each alcohol

In this next stage of the investigation I am going to find the theoretical results, to compare these with the experimental results

The alcohol

The energy released in the combustion of that alcohol (KJmol )

Methanol

502

Ethanol

654

Propanol
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500

Butanol

999

The results of both theoretical and experimental calculations

The alcohol

Molar mass

The energy produced (Experimental values)

The energy released (the theoretical values)

Methanol

44

423.85

502

Ethanol

46

478.22

654

Propanol

60

656.25

500

Butanol

74

826.60

999

Analysis

If we analyse these results, we can clearly see that as the molar mass increased, so did the energy produced in the combustion of each alcohol. As the alcohol compound ...

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