Year 11 
29/03/18 

Chemistry  
Trend in standard enthalpy of combustion 
How do different concentrations of hydrochloric acid affect the rate of reaction 
between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid. 
Sara Du 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

INTRODUCTION
Fossil fuels have been a dominant source of energy for the modern world and due to the increased usage of these
fossil fuels, we are running low in supply. This opens opportunities for new sources of energy making alcohols a good
alternative due to their flammable characteristic. I chose this research question in specific as I believe the usage of
fossil fuels will not last us and our future generations, as it is a non-renewable source of energy and is also harmful to
the environment with their emissions of sulfur dioxides. Also in Fiji, there is an abundance of sugarcane which can be
fermented to produce ethanol and methanol can also be produced through animal waste which can easily be provided
due to the farming culture in Fiji. I believe our current sources make ethanol and methanol suitable sources of energy
to use, which can increase employment for local citizens and help the country's economy. This is important to me as it
would benefit my country as a whole while helping the environment with a more natural source of energy. Therefore I
would like to investigate the enthalpy of combustion of these alcohols and compare it to other alcohols to be able to
form a conclusion on which would alcohol could be more efficient. ​ ​(Nieuwenhuis and Wells, 2019)

AIM
To design an experiment that investigates how different number of carbon atoms in an alcohol chain ; methanol,
ethanol, propanol, butanol and pentanol affect the standard enthalpy change of combustions of the individual
alcohols.

RESEARCH QUESTION
How does changing the number of carbon atoms in an alcohol chain affect the standard enthalpy change of
combustions of the alcohols ?

HYPOTHESIS
As the number of Carbon atoms in an alcohol increases, the enthalpy of combustion will result in a more negative
value.
This is because as the number of carbon atoms increase, the hydrocarbon chain becomes longer. Moving down the
homologous group, a series of CH3 molecule is added on, thus extra energy is required to break the bonds of the extra
molecule. As the carbon atoms are added in the alcohol chain, its mass also increases. This creates a stronger
intermolecular force of attraction. Overall, leading to an increase enthalpy of combustion of the alcohols. Therefore,
as the carbon atoms increase, the enthalpy change of combustion results to be more negative, due to the extra
energy required to break the bonds.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

An alcohol refers to an organic compound with a hydroxyl (OH) group attached

to a carbon atom in a hydrocarbon chain (alkyl group), therefore contains
oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Alcohols are a homologous with a functional -OH
group, and the general formula being CnH2n+1OH, where n is the number of
carbon atoms. The simplest alcohol is methanol and contains a single carbon
atom but as we move down the homologous series, each alcohol differs by a
-CH2 (one carbon and two hydrogen atoms).​ (​ Chemistry LibreTexts, 2019)​The first 3
simplest alcohols of the alcohol chain and their respective molecular and
structural formulas can be shown in fig 1.1 above.

As the chain gets longer and more complex, its related boiling points, heat of
combustions, solubility in water and other characteristics change. These changes are due to the structural
differences in the alcohols, as more hydrogen bonds are formed, the intermolecular forces are more stronger
according to the theory of Van Der Waals forces causing the structure to become more complex. ​(BBC Bitesize, 2019)

To break or form bonds present in the reactants in a chemical reaction, energy is required. The internal energy stored
in these reactants is called enthalpy, whilst the change in enthalpy refers to the amount of heat absorbed or evolved

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in a reaction and is expressed as ∆H. Since the exact value of the enthalpy in both the products and reactant cannot
be known, hence we calculate the differences in enthalpy thus the term enthalpy change. ​(Neuss, 2019)(Clark, 2019)

Combustion refers to burning, and is defined when a substance reacts with oxygen from the air to form carbon
dioxide. Combustion reactions are exothermic as they require high temperatures and release energy to the
surrounding in the form of heat and light, and thus will always have a negative enthalpy value. The products of a
complete combustion reaction results in compounds of oxygen called oxides, hence the overall products of a
combustion reaction are carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen.​(BBC Bitesize, 2019)​ The standard enthalpy of combustion is
defined as ​the energy released when one mole of a substance is burned in excess oxygen, or air, under standard
conditions and is expressed by the symbol ∆H ̊comb. The standard conditions required are: room temperature of 298
K (25​℃​) and pressure of 1 atm. ​(Clark, 2019)

VARIABLES

VARIABLE IDENTITY MANIPULATION

Dependent variable Mass Of Alcohol Burnt - This will be calculated by using the
following formula :mass of alcohol burnt
= final mass of spirit lamp - initial mass of
spirit lamp
Enthalpy change during - This is calculated after collecting results
combustion from the experiment using the formula
∆H=mc∆T.
- This is also calculated using experimental
Standard enthalpy of combustion data using the formula : standard
of alcohol enthalpy of combustion= ∆H(standard
enthalpy of combustion)/moles of alcohol
burnt. These values are the values for the
y axis.

Independent variable Number of Carbon atoms in the - Five readings will be obtained from the
alcohol molecule (Different five different alcohols: methanol, ethanol,
Alcohols) propanol, butanol, pentanol

Controlled variable Volume of Water - The same volume of distilled water will
be used for each trial which is 50cm​3.
- Distance of 1 cm will be measured
Distance of Wick from bottom of between the wick and bottom of
conical flask calorimeter to avoid heat lost to the
surrounding
Temperature Rise - All alcohols will be burnt till the water's
temperature has risen a total of 11℃
Setup and environment - The same setup in the same environment
will be used throughout for each trial.
This is done to keep approximately the
same standard conditions.

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MATERIALS
Apparatus:

● 1 x conical flask (100cm3)

● 1 x thermometer (±0.05℃ )
● Electronic scale (±0.01g)
● 1 x stopwatch (±0.01 sec)
● 1 x measuring cylinder (100cm3)(±0.01 cm3)
● Box of Matchsticks
● Clamp and stand
● Water (tap water or distilled water can be used)
● Spirit burners containing any 5 alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propaol, butanol, pentanol, octanol) were used
in this experiment.

Safety apparatus :

● Safety glasses
● Lab coat
● Gloves
● Closed shoes

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Alcohols have high flammability and potential health hazards thus the following precautions must be followed to
handle the alcohols carefully.

- Alcohols are toxic and can readily absorb into skin thus gloves and a lab coat must always be worn to avoid
skin or eye contact.
- The work area should also be well ventilated and near a wash sink
- Alcohols are highly flammable in the presence of heat, sparks or an open flame, thus it needs to be handled
cautiously.

PROCEDURE

1. Weigh the spirit lamp with the alcohol using an electronic mass balance and record this.
2. Measure out 50 cm3 of water using a measuring cylinder.
3. Add the measured water into a conical flask
4. Record the initial temperature of the water.
5. Take a matchstick and light up the spirit lamp. Once the alcohol has started burning, start the stopwatch.
6. Record and observe the colour of the flame with which the alcohol is burning
7. Gently stir the water at all times, during heating to distribute heat evenly.
8. Ensure the fact that minimum heat is lost to the surroundings. Blow out the spirit lamp as soon as the

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temperature has risen a total of 11 ̊C

9. Stop the stopwatch at this instant as well.
10. Take the spirit lamp containing the alcohol and weigh it once again using the mass balance.
11. Record this reading.
12. The experimental set-up should be looking somewhat like this:

13. Wash all the apparatus, and repeat these steps for the other alcohols which are to be tested.

DATA
Qualitative Data

Alcohol Before heating During heating After heating

Methanol - had slight smell similar to that of - remained

burning plastic colorless
- Colorless liquid - Spirit lamp still
Ethanol - Flame had blue layer at the had few fumes
- had a
bottom and orange at the top and it had a slight
pleasant
Propanol - Ethanol had a larger flame smell
smell
- Colorless
liquid
Butanol
- Strong odor - Remained
- red/orange flame colorless
Pentanol
- Black at the bottom of the flask - Strong smell
remained
Octanol

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Raw data

Alcohol Initial mass of Final mass of Temperatur Time taken (s) ± 0.01
alcohol (g) ± 0.01 alcohol (g) ± 0.01 e change ​℃
± 0.05

Methanol 149.53 149.19 11.00 58.24

149.19 148.90 45.69

148.90 148.55 48.96

Ethanol 142.35 141.74 11.00 34.55

141.74 141.17 38.42

141.17 140.61 28.69

Propanol 146.61 146.35 11.00 60.01

146.35 146.09 41.43

146.09 145.88 60.22

Butanol 167.38 167.20 11.00 52.59

167.20 166.98 56.59

166.98 166.78 54.60

Pentanol 134.68 134.52 11.00 51.68

134.52 134.35 51.75

134.35 134.19 60.04

Octanol 163.24 163.13 11.00 55.02

163.13 163.03 54.59

163.03 162.95 56.58

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PROCESSED DATA

Alcohol Mass of alcohol Average mass of Molecular mass Standard enthalpy

burnt (g) ± 0.02g alcohol burnt (g) change of
± 0.06g combustion kJ ​mol​−1

Methanol 0.34 0.33 32.04 -97.09

(CH​3​OH)
0.29

0.35

Ethanol 0.6 0.58 46.07 -182.61

(C​2​H5​ ​OH)
0.57

0.56

Propanol 0.26 0.24 60.09 -574.75

(C​3​H8​ ​OH)
0.26

0.21

Butanol 0.18 0.20 74.10 -851.48

(C​4​H1​ 0​O)
0.22

0.20

Pentanol 0.16 0.16 88.15 -1277.22

(C​5​H1​ 2​O)
0.17

0.16

Octanol 0.11 0.10 130.23 -2 873.75

(C​8​H1​ 8​O)
0.10

0.08

Average mass of alcohol burnt was calculated using the formula :

Avg = total of three trials/no.of trials

Eg. average mass of methanol burnt = (0.34+0.29+0.35)/3

= 0.326667
​ ≅ 0.33g
The uncertainty of the average was calculated using the formula : ​unc. = sum of uncertainties/3
Unc. = (0.02 + 0.02 + 0.02) =0.06/3​ = 0.02

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Mass = volume x density -> 50cm3 x 1 = 50g

Enthalpy Change during combustion (∆H) = mc∆T

= (50/1000) x 4.18J g-1 K-1 x 11
​= 2.299 KJ

Standard Enthalpy of Combustion of methanol (∆H ̊) = Enthalpy Change during combustion (∆H) / Number of Moles of
methanol

= 2.299 x (m/mr)

= 2.299 x (0.33/32.04)

= 0.02367884

=​ 0.02368 ​moles of methanol burnt

Standard enthalpy change = enthalpy change of combustion/moles of methanol burnt

= 2.299/0.02368

=​ - 97.09 ​kJ mol​−1 ​(negative result as it an exothermic reaction)

RESULTS

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The graph above is a scatter graph showing the standard enthalpy of combustion of the respective alcohols against
different number of carbon atoms. The graph shows a positive correlation and most of the data are close to the
trendline suggesting more accuracy. The enthalpy of combustions are negative but for graphing purposes only the
positive values were used.

ERROR PROPAGATION
Methanol:
Uncertainty in mass balance = 0.01g
∴​mass of methanol burnt = 0.33g ± 0.02g ​(uncertainties are added)
Percentage uncertainty = 0.02/0.33 x 100
= 6.06 %

Uncertainty in thermometer = 0.5​℃

Temperature Difference = 11℃ ± 1​ ℃ (uncertainties are added)
Percentage Uncertainty = 1/11 x 100 %
= 9.09%

Uncertainty in measuring cylinder = 0.01cm3

∴​volume of water = 50 cm​3​ ​ ± 0.01 cm​3
Percentage uncertainty = 0.01/50 x 100
= 0.02 %

Total uncertainties = sum of percentage uncertainties

= ​6.06% + 9.09% + 0.02%
= 15.17 %

Uncertainty in kJ/mol = 15.17% x 97.09

= ± 14.73 kJ/mol
The standard enthalpy of combustion of methanol (with uncertainty) is 97.09 kJ/mol ± 6.79 kJ/mol.
The following steps can be followed to determine the uncertainties in the data values of the other five alcohols.
The standard enthalpy of combustion of ethanol (with uncertainty) is 182.61 kJ/mol ± 27.70 kJ/mol.
The standard enthalpy of combustion of propanol (with uncertainty) is 574.75 kJ/mol ± 87.19kJ/mol.
The standard enthalpy of combustion of butanol (with uncertainty) is 851.48 kJ/mol ± 129.17 kJ/mol.
The standard enthalpy of combustion of pentanol (with uncertainty) is 1277.22 kJ/mol ± 193.75 kJ/mol.
The standard enthalpy of combustion of octanol (with uncertainty) is 2 873.75 kJ/mol ± 435.95 kJ/mol.

Alcohol No. of carbon atoms ̊ )

Standard enthalpy of combustion (​ ∆H comb​

Methanol 1 97.09 kJ/mol ± 6.79 kJ/mol.

Ethanol 2 182.61 kJ/mol ± 27.70 kJ/mol.

Propanol 3 574.75 kJ/mol ± 87.19kJ/mol.

Butanol 4 851.48 kJ/mol ± 129.17 kJ/mol.

Pentanol 5 1277.22 kJ/mol ± 193.75 kJ/mol.

Octanol 8 2 873.75 kJ/mol ± 435.95 kJ/mol.

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CONCLUSION

From the results of the experiment it can be concluded that as the number of carbon atoms in an alcohol chain
increase, the respective standard enthalpy of combustion will result in a more negative value. Therefore, the
experimental data supports the hypothesis. The results show that the alcohol methanol which had the least carbon
atoms (1 carbon atom) had the lowest enthalpy change of combustion of -97.09 kJ/mol whereas octanol which had
the highest number of carbon atoms (8 carbon atoms) had the highest enthalpy of combustion of -2873.75 kJ/mol.
This occurs because an increase in carbon atoms leads to new bonds as an extra C-C bond is added, changing its
characteristics. The enthalpy change of combustion differs respectively due to the more complex structures which
require more energy in order to break the bonds.

Experiments total error was calculated as shown :

Methanol:
Standard Enthalpy of Combustion (∆H​comb​): Literature Value = –726 kJ/mol Experimental Value = -97.09 kJ/mol
Error = 726 kJ/mol - 97.09 kJ/mol (Eliminating Negative signs for calculations)
= 628.91 kJ/mol
Percentage Error = Error/Theoretical Value
= 628.91/726 -> = 86.63% The same calculations were used for the following alcohols.

The graph above shows both the literature and experimental value, while also showing the percentage error. It can be
derived from the above figures that the experimental results and the literature values both show a positive correlation
of the increase in enthalpy change but there is also a significant percentage error showing that the experimental data
is less accurate but more precise. Regardless of the high percentage errors the experimental data supports the
hypothesis and also is in agreement with the current scientific consensus, such as with higher number of carbon
atoms the enthalpy change results in a more negative value. The percentage error is high mainly due to systematic
errors which is discussed in the evaluation. Finally, although there aren't any sufficient data to prove a statement, the
experiment suggests that the higher the number of carbon atoms the more negative the value of standard enthalpy of
combustion of the alcohols.  

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EVALUATION

The experimental data was believed to be correct as many variables were controlled and was carried out properly
with three trials being repeated for more accurate results, but there is no doubt that the experiment could have
yielded better results, as high percentage errors are prevalent. Some random errors caused unnecessary heat loss to
the surrounding which was not accounted for in calculations, making it the main source of error. This is because most
of the heat from the spirit lamp did not reach the base of the conical flask thus the heat loss results in a lower than
expected temperature change in the water. Although the mass of water was controlled, the mass may have not have
been constant due to water loss due to evaporation ,water spills, or some water may have remained on the sides of
the measuring cylinder. This would then give different results.

During the experiment it was also observed, that for most trials the bottom was black possibly due to the carbon
monoxide which suggests that the combustion was incomplete. Hence, the incomplete combustion results in a low
standard enthalpy as the combustion value differs. These were the random errors and could have been prevented
however, there were some systematic errors that could have contributed to the high percentage error of the
experiment. Therefore this requires the method to be further evaluated.

The experiment could have been carried out at a place with constant temperature as the lab had air conditioning
which could have affected the results as the temperature of the environment was not measured. A calorimeter and
draught could have been used instead as it is more insulated and can help reduce heat loss, thus could provide a
better result. A digital thermometer could be used for a lower uncertainty and the covering of the flask could have
been blocked with cotton to ensure no water vapour escapes to prevent water loss. The setup could be covered with
black cardboard as the color black is a good emitter and this would help prevent heat loss. Overall regardless of the
percentage errors, the experimental data supports that the enthalpy change becomes more negative as the number
of carbon atoms increase.

If this experiment was to be repeated a further investigation could be done comparing the standard enthalpy of
combustion of alcohols to the enthalpy of combustion of fossil fuels, to determine a better energy source.

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REFERENCES
BBC Bitesize. (2019). ​Alcohols - Revision 1 - GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) - BBC Bitesize.​
[online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/z8sb2p3/revision/1 [Accessed 28 Mar.
2019].

BBC Bitesize. (2019). ​What is combustion?​. [online] Available at:

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zcwxcj6 [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

Chemistry LibreTexts. (2019). ​14.2: Alcohols - Nomenclature and Classification.​ [online] Available at:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_The_Basics_of_GOB
_Chemistry_(Ball_et_al.)/14%3A_Organic_Compounds_of_Oxygen/14.02_Alcohols%3A_Nome
nclature_and_Classification [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

Clark, J. (2019). ​various enthalpy change definitions​. [online] Chemguide.co.uk. Available at:
https://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/energetics/definitions.html [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

Clark, J. (2019). ​An introduction to alcohols.​ [online] Chemguide.co.uk. Available at:

https://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/background.html [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

Neuss, G. (2019). ​IB Chemistry Study Guide: 2014 Edition: Oxford IB Diploma Program.​ Oxford
University Press, pp.38-39.

Nieuwenhuis, P. and Wells, P. (2019). ​Alcohol-Based Fuel - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics​.

[online] Sciencedirect.com. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/alcohol-based-fuel [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

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