Burning fuels investigation

Independent variables

• Using the same scales
• Same amount of water in copper beaker
• Same height of thermometer from water
• Temperature of water before experiment
• Weight of alcohol before experiment

Fair Test

To make it a fair test:

• I made sure I put the same amount of water in the copper can.
• I made sure that the water started with the same temperature with the same alcohol.
• I made sure that the height was the same from the water to the thermometer.

Health and Safety

• Wear goggles
• Hide tie in the shirt
• Keep bags under the table

Method

I first got all the apparatus that I needed and set it up. I got a measuring cylinder and measured a 100 cm³ of water and poured it in a copper can. Then I connected the copper can to the stand with a clamp. Then I would get a spirit lamp which is filled with alcohol and measure it. Then I would use a spirit to light it and put it under the copper can. Then I would heat and stir the water until the temperature has gone up another 10 degrees Celsius. I will then blow out the flame and put the cap on the burner quickly and reweigh the alcohol. After I will repeat this with the next four alcohols. I will also repeat this experiment again.

Results

1st Experiment

2nd Experiment

Conclusion

The results that I obtained supported my prediction that I made in my hypothesis that the longer the chain length that the alkanes have, the more energy is released. I also said that the alcohol Pentanol would release the most energy out of all he other alkanes that I experimented due to this reason. The result from the graph gives us a clear indication how my results are compared to the results in the prediction. There is a positive correlation from the graph which shows that the longer the chain length, the more energy is released.

The line of best fit clearly shows that the results follow the expected pattern as the points on the graph are very close and nearly touching the line proving the results are reasonably accurate as I did not obtain any unexpected results.

The results obtained were accurate because I calculated the averages which increased the reliability. Furthermore, I ensured the experiment was a fair test because all the points mentioned were taken into consideration providing me with conclusive results to form a firm conclusion.

Evaluation

In my investigation, there were no unexpected results as all the results follow the expected pattern. When doing an experiment such as this, there are normally scores for experimental or human errors. I considered all the points I mentioned in the fair test carefully and as a result, I believe my outcome was reasonably accurate enough in order to draw a firm conclusion. The way that I would have improved my experiment is that I would have used better and scientific equipments which would help me calculate more accurate and better results.