Mr Underwood HL Chemistry Design Prac
High Level Chemistry
Heat of combustion of alcohol
Design Prac
Student: Kathy Nguyen
Teacher: Mr Underwood
Due Date: 23rd May 2009
To investigate the effect of one factor on the heat of combustion of the alcohol
Background Information
Alcohols are used as a source of fuel in many countries. For it to turn into fuel, alcohol must be burnt. Alcohol is also a good clean source of energy and heat. In this experiment I will be trying to find out the amount of energy produced when different alcohols are burned.
In this experiment, the type of alcohol will be tested is Ethanol. Ethanol is a colourless liquid and is sometimes referred simply as alcohol or spirits. Carbon chains with a hydroxide molecule at the end of the chain make up an alcohol. Ethanol is a straight-chain alcohol and its molecular formula is C2H5OH. Its empirical formula however is C2H6O
The heat of combustion of any substance is the amount of heat energy given out when 1 mole of that substance burns completely in air. Every covalent bond existing in the molecule has a 'bond energy'. This bond energy is the amount of energy needed to break the bond or the amount of energy given out as a bond is formed.