CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – UNIVERSITY

N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City

Isiang, John Lorenze D. (BSCE-1) July 16, 2019

(Name, Course, & Year) (Date Submitted)

______ _IV__________ ________________________

Group Number Instructor’s Signature

Experiment # 3_

HEAT COMBUSTION
Title of Experiment

I. Objectives

Compare the heat of combustion of alcohols different number of molecular weights

using calorimetry.

II. Apparatus

Electronic Balance Parafilm

Aluminum can Iron ring

Thermometer Clay triangle

Iron Stand Alcohol lamp (spirit burner)

25-mL graduated cylinder

III. Materials

100-mL of Distilled water

50-mL of Ethanol (C2H5OH)

 50-mL of Propanol (C3H7OH)

50-mL of Butanol (C4H9OH)

IV. Observation & Results

The water was measured at 100-mL and poured safely into the aluminum can.
Afterwards, we recorded the initial temperature of the water. The aluminum can was covered
with cardboard, and then the thermometer was inserted in the hole to calcute the water initial
temperature. A 50-mL of an unknown alcohol was added on the alcohol lamp, and then the
alcohol lamp was weighted and recorded. As the time goes by, the lamp was then place inside
the clay shield with a block of wood serve as the base of the alcohol lamp on it, and the clay
triangle was put on the top of the clay shield. The aluminum can was placed on the top of the
clay triangle with a distance of 1cm between the alcohol lamp and the aluminum can. After that,
the alcohol lamp was lighted while the water is heated.

During Heating, the water was gently stirred using the stirring rod. When the water
reached its maximum temperature the final temperature was taken and then the aluminum can
was removed after determining the temperature. We weight again the alcohol lamp and record
the data. The procedure was repeated for the other unknown alcohol samples. As we perform the
experiment, we’ve noticed that the flame is color yellow and then after heating the 3 unknown
samples, it was observed that the mass of the alcohol samples decreases and the water inside
while the aluminum can increases its temperature. It’s also observed that butanol has the least
decrease of mass compared to other unknown samples and heat has the greatest amount of heat
released. Ethanol has 7.64g (mass difference), propanol has 5.26g (mass difference), and butanol
has 3.62g (mass difference) after it was heated. Since, we’ve already have the data of the
experiment. After the experiment, the standard enthalpy change of combustion per one mole of
the compound/unknown alcohol samples and the percentage error of enthalpy combustion was
computed.

Qualitative Data:

There was quite a lot of qualitative data in the experiment. However, they were
generally the same for all the alcohols being tested. These observations are summarized in the
table below:

Before Heating During Heating After Heating

1) The alcohol had a very
pleasant smell.
2) The alcohol was a colorless
liquid
3) It had a very cold feeling
when touched.
1) The flame of the alcohol 1) The alcohol still had the
during combustion was pleasant smell
divided into two layers; blue 2) It remained a colorless
and yellow. 2) The flame was liquid.
odorless.
3) The water in the
calorimeter started to bubble.
 4) There was water vapour
being released out of the
calorimeter.

V. Discussion of Results

Heat of Combustion is the enthalpy change when one mole of the compound undergoes
complete combustion in excess oxygen under standard conditions. This experiment aims to
determine the relationship between the number of carbon atoms in an alcohol change and its
standard enthalpy change of combustion. The volume mass of energy gases which are present in
a natural gas accumulation influences the heat of combustion of a natural gas. So, The
hydrocarbon chain becomes longer. As we move down the homologous group, a spate CH3
molecule is being added into the alcohol chain. Thus, the extra energy is required to break apart
this new molecule. It is much harder to break up a longer hydrocarbon chain than a shorter one
as there are more bonds to break. Therefore, more energy is required to break a longer
hydrocarbon. This can be explained by each successive member of the series contains one more
methylene group (-CH2-) than the previous one. When it is burnt, there will be one extra C-C
bond and two extra C-H bonds to be broken. Therefore, much more energy is required for
combustion. Moreover, this prediction is made more valid if one talks in terms of the Van der
Waal’s forces of each molecule. As the carbon atoms are added into the alcohol chain, its mass
increases. This will increase the Van der Waal’s forces amidst the alcohols, resulting in stronger
intermolecular forces of attraction. Therefore, this leads to an increase in the enthalpy of
combustion of the alcohols. Thus, on increasing the number of carbon atoms in an alcohol chain,
the respective enthalpy of combustions is expected to become more negative. Based on the
results below, ethanol has the lowest heat combustion at -167.82 kJ/mol, propanol comes next
with -306.67 kJ/mol, and butanol has the highest heat combustionwith -550.75 kJ/mol. The
negative sign indicates that the given alcohol samples releases heat thus, it is exothermic.

Before After Difference Molar No.

Change ∆H˚comb % error
Substance Heating Heating Mass of of
Moles Enthalpy
Ethanol Mi Mf M=Mi-Mf -1368
46g/mol 0.16mol KJ/mol 87.73%
147.88g 140.54g 7.34g
Water Ti Tf -26.7776
29 ˚C 93 ˚C 64 ˚C 18g/mol
KJ/mol
Propanol Mi Mf -204
185.10g 179.84g 5.26g 60g/mol 0.88mol KJ/mol 84.83%
 Water Ti Tf -167.82
29 ˚C 93.5 ˚C 64.5 ˚C 18g/mol KJ/mol
Butanol Mi Mf 0.049 -2671
189.82g 186.20g 3.62g 74g/mol mol KJ/mol 79.35%
Water Ti Tf -550.71
29 ˚C 93.5 ˚C 64.5 ˚C 18g/mol KJ/mol
Figure 1.1 Presentation of Experimental Data

VI. Conclusion

The experiments carried out were quite successful, and yielded valid results. It has
helped determine the relationship between the number of carbon atoms in an alcohol chain and
its respective standard enthalpy change of combustion. The final results of the experiment are
given as follows:

Before After Difference Molar No. Change % error

Substance Heating Heating Mass of of
Moles Enthalpy
Ethanol Mi Mf M=Mi-Mf -1368
46g/mol 0.16mol KJ/mol 87.73%
147.88g 140.54g 7.34g
Water Ti Tf -306.67
29 ˚C 93 ˚C 64 ˚C 18g/mol KJ/mol
Propanol Mi Mf -204
185.10g 179.84g 5.26g 60g/mol 0.88mol KJ/mol 84.83%
Water Ti Tf -167.82
29 ˚C 93.5 ˚C 64.5 ˚C 18g/mol KJ/mol
Butanol Mi Mf 0.049 -2671
189.82g 186.20g 3.62g 74g/mol mol KJ/mol 79.35%
Water Ti Tf -550.75
29 ˚C 93.5 ˚C 64.5 ˚C 18g/mol KJ/mol
Figure 1.1 Presentation of Experimental Data

Thus, the observation process has been proved correct. As the number of carbon
atoms in an alcohol chain increases, its respective standard enthalpy change of combustion also
increases. As it can be seen, the standard enthalpy combustion values increase as the number of
carbon atoms increase. This can be explained by each successive member of the series contains
one more methylene group (-CH2-) than the previous one. When it is burnt, there will be one
extra C-C bond and two extra C-H bonds to be broken. Therefore, much more energy is required
for combustion. This is proven by the readings obtained in the table above.

A graph can be made from these set of readings above. This graph is presented on the next page:
 Standard enthalpy of Combustion(∆H˚comb)
900

500
Standard
enthalpy of…

300

200

100

0
1 2 3

The graph represents the trend in the experimental results. As the number of Carbon
atoms in an alcohol molecule increases, the following standard enthalpy of combustion also
increases. The white line plots the experimental data, whereas the red dotted line is the best fit
line. The best fit line is a linear line. As a result, it can be concluded that the standard enthalpy of
combustion of alcohols is proportionate to the number of carbon atoms the alcohol chain
contains.

References:

C.W. Garland, J. W. Nibler, D. P. Shoemaker, Experiments in Physical Chemistry (7th Edition).

McGraw-Hill: New York, 2003 pp. 145-158

P. Atkins, J. de Paula, Physical Chemistry (9th Edition). Freeman: New York, 2010 pp. 54-63
(calorimetry); pp. 65-74 (thermochemistry)