Aim
To find out if the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in alcohol affect how well they burn.
Apparatus
Clamp stand, alcohol burners containing: methanol, ethanol and propanol, splints, goggles, heat mat, copper beaker, water, thermometer, scales, water.
Method
Put 100g of water in a copper beaker and put in a thermometer, record the temperature and attach to clamp stand. Weigh the alcohol burner containing methanol and record the result, place under the beaker. Light the alcohol burner and wait till the water has reached 10 c more than the starting temperature. Put out the alcohol burner and weigh again. Then record the temperature the water is currently at and re-light the alcohol burner heat for another 10 c and then reweigh the alcohol burner and record the result. Repeat this for 10, 20, 30 and 40 c above the starting temperature, record the result for all of them. Now repeat the entire experiment again but using ethanol, then propanol in the alcohol burner.
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Peer Reviews
Here's what a star student thought of this essay
Quality of writing
The essay is set out into clear sub-sections which helps the reader to clearly identify each section. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are to a good standard and the candidate communicates concisely and clearly.
Level of analysis
The method should be set out in bullet points rather than continuous prose because this makes the different steps easier to follow and the text easier to read. The candidate does not make a prediction about the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms and the candidate should do this to show greater width of scientific research and a better understanding of the topic and experiment. The candidate states in their conclusion that they expected Propanolol to be the best alcohol and they should have stated why with a prediction earlier in the text rather than make sweeping statements in the conclusion without science to back their claims up. The candidate should also have stated what they kept the same e.g. mass of fuel to avoid bias in the experiment. By having different masses the candidate biased the experiment which makes their conclusion not very well thought out or valid. The conclusion points out some errors and do not point out any possible valid improvements which would indicate their understanding.
Response to question
A basic experiment. The candidate does not draw very valid conclusions as discussed below from their data and does not show scientific reasoning behind their statements. However, the candidate does show good consideration of possible errors in the experiment by pointing out things that may have confounded the experiment which is good. Overall an okay baseline essay.
