Hypothesis:

Using the bond energy calculations, I predict that Propanol will produce the
most energy. I believe this because Propanol has the largest number of carbon
atoms and there is a link between the number of carbons and energy produced.
The more carbon atoms present, the more energy needed to break the bonds.
Therefore, increasing the carbon chains would also increase a rise in
temperature.

wick

Idependant Variable Type of fuel

Controlled Variables

Distance of tin can above wick (Different distances can affect the heat that is transferred to the tin
can and into the water, therefore altering the temperature change). Measure with ruler.
Tin can ( Experiment is fair and that different cans may be of different thicknesses so allowing
different amounts of heat through).
Volume of water (Different volumes of water will have quicker or slower heating times) Measuring
cylinder.
Area & Length of Wick (Larger surface area means more energy released) Measure with ruler.
Room temperature and starting water (Increase in temperature may heat water faster) Monitor
with thermometer.

Dependant Variable Temperature of water

S1
S2

Method:
1. Set up equipment.
2. Put 100 cm3 of water in the glass beaker.
3. Record the room temperature and water.
4. Clamp the calorimeter in position about 10 cm above the protective mat.
5. Find the mass of a spirit burner containing an alcohol.
6. Place the burner under the calorimeter and light the wick.
7. Stop heating when stop clock has reached 1 minute.
8. Reweigh the burner as soon as possible.
9. Keep recording results record the highest value reached. If you can, repeat the experiment with
other alcohols. Try to keep all the factors the same.

Equipment:
* Metal clamp
*Stop clock
*5 Wooden Splints
* Electric weighing scale 2dp
*100cm3 water
*Safety goggles
*Protective mat
* A glass beaker for water
*5 fuels Methanol, Ethanol, Propanol, Butanol and Pentanol
*Thermometer range -20 C - 110 C. Resolution of 1C
*100 cm3 glass measuring cylinder
* 5 glass spirit burners containing an alcohol (1 for each fuel)
*Bunsen burner
Risk Assessment:

Alc ohol Fuel

Ca n c a use

Ma y a c c id enta lly

Wea r la b g ogg les a nd

Seek m ed ic a l

tem p o ra ry sig ht

sp la sh a lc ohol into

rub b er g loves o r w a sh

a ttention from

lo ss, irrita tio n o r

yo ur e ye s or touc h

your ha nd s stra ig ht a fter

w elfa re.

fla m ma b ility.

yo ur e ye s a fter using

using the a lc ohol

Med ium

the a lc ohol or hea t

to o muc h.

Wic k/ Bunser b urner

Ca n c a use b urns

Ma y a c c id enta lly b urn

Ma ke sure you a re

Put b urnt skin und er

to skin a nd e ye s,

yo urse lf, eyes or

sta nd ing rela tively a wa y

c old wa ter for 10

c a using

c lo the s w hile nea r the

from the w ic k/ Bunsen

m inutes. If situa tion is

b lind ne ss. Ca n

fla m e.

b urner to a void a ny

w orse, or the fla me

a c c id ents.

ha s touc hed your

a lso b urn
c lo the s.

Med ium

eyes, seek m ed ic a l
a ttention im med ia tely.

Gla ss Sp irit Burners

Ca n c a use c uts

Burne r ma y fa ll a nd

Ma ke sure a ll b urners a re

Wea r rub b er g loves if

b lee d ing a nd

b rea k, c a using b its of

kep t rela tively a w a y from

nec essa ry a nd wea r

d a ma g e to

g la ss to fly a round a nd

the ed ges of the ta b le.

g og g les to p rotec t the

e ye s.

sm a sh. You m a y a lso

Med ium

eyes.

a c c id e nta lly step on it

o r p ic k up the b roken
g la ss a nd get c ut.

Wood en Sp lints

Ca n c a use c uts

Ma y g e t a c ut or

Hold the sp lints c a refully

Seek m ed ic a l

o r sp linte rs.

sp linte r from w ood off

a nd d on t p la y a round

a ttention from

the sp lint.

w ith it or sna p it.

w elfa re.

Med ium