Timmy is a year 12 chemistry student like yourself.

His teacher has set him the

task of determining the heat of combustion of ethanol, an alcohol fuel that is
made from plant materials. As Timmy is a hardworking and diligent student, he
has been making notes of his actions as he follows the method.

Your task: Read through and analyse Timmys notes that he has written down
in his lab book. Make notes on its accuracy, reliability, and validity on the
worksheet provided and the answer the questions on how Timmy can improve
his experiment technique. For your reference, there is also a copy of the
practical that Timmy was following.

Timmys Lab Book

Date: 15/08/2017

Experiment: Heat of Combustion of Ethanol

Notes:
- I weighed the aluminium can and recorded its mass. (14.9g)
- 300mL of water was measured and poured into the can. Some spillage
occurred but it was not much.
- I inserted a thermometer into the can until it touched the bottom and
quickly read the reading.
- The can was placed in the clamp on the retort stand.
- I weighed the capped ethanol spirit burner. (206.7g)
- I lit the burner and heated the water until the temperature rose by 20
degrees Celsius. The thermometer was left in the can the entire time.
- Flame was extinguished and burner recapped.
- I stirred the water vigorously and recorded the maximum
temperature.
- The spirit burner was reweighed. (205.2g)
- Black soot was found on the bottom of the can.
Heat of Combustion Practical

Aim: To perform an experiment to determine heat of combustion ethanol per

gram and per mole.

Risk Assessment: Since alkanols are being burned there is exposure of a naked
flame and a flammable hazard. Care must be taken to ensure that any spills are
being cleaned up immediately and safety goggles are to be worn. A fire
extinguisher should also be kept close by for emergencies.

Equipment: Electronic balance, aluminium can, thermometer, retort stand,

clamp, boss head, spirit burners (ethanol, propanol and butanol), measuring
cylinder.
Method:
1. Weigh the aluminium can and record its mass.
2. Measure 300mL of water and pour it carefully into the can.
3. Insert a thermometer into the can and record its initial temperature in
the water.
4. Place the can in the clamp on the retort stand.
5. Weigh the capped ethanol spirit burner and record the mass.
6. Light the burner and heat the water until the temperature rises by 20oC
7. Extinguish the flame and cap the burner. Stir the water gently and
record the maximum temperature reached.
8. Reweigh the spirit burner and determine the mass difference.
9. Repeat the process for propanol and butanol
Timmys Lab Book Analysis

Make notes on accuracy, reliability and validity:

Accuracy Reliability Validity

Questions:
1. What are three sources of error that you can see from Timmys lab
notes?
-

2. Classify the above three sources of error into human error or systematic
error.

3. Suggest way that Timmy can improve his experimental technique so that
his experiment is more accurate, reliable and valid.
Accurate-

Reliable-

Valid-