Hhou
Aim
To see which hydro carbons produce the most energy.
Hypothesis
Different fuels transfer different amounts of energy when they burn because of the different numbers of carbon atoms in fuel molecules.
Prediction
I think that paraffin will give off the most energy when burned because it has more carbon atoms and carbon chains so it will be harder to break these chains making it harder to burn. Although it is harder to burn because it has more chains and carbon atoms it will release a lot of energy than the rest. Also because it is a polymer it has more chains than we can count so it should have lost of energy. However the butanol could be the fuel to produce the most energy because although the paraffin is a polymer since it is harder to burn it will also take longer to burn and it might not burn within the time limit. So since butanol is the fuel with the second highest carbon atoms and the second longest carbon chains it will burn within this time and may produce the most energy.
Apparatus
Tongs: I am using tongs because I do not want to burn my hand while holding the test-tube
Test tube: I am using this because the thermometer with a cork fits it and also to hold the water.
Water: to use as the substance to contain the heat given off by each fuel
Spirit burner: I am using this to safely burn the fuels
Thermometer with a cork: I am using a thermometer to take the temperate of the water. The reason I am using one with a cork attached is to keep in as much heat as possible.
Timer: I am using the timer to make sure I burn the fuel for the right amount of time
Measuring cylinder: I am using the measuring cylinder to measure the water making sure it is the right amount
Wooden split: I am using this because it is a safe way of lighting the Bunsen burner
Fuels: ethanol, propanol, butanol, paraffin
I am using a range of fuels with different hydrocarbons because I want to see the energy of different fuels. Also this is what is available to me
To see which hydro carbons produce the most energy.
Hypothesis
Different fuels transfer different amounts of energy when they burn because of the different numbers of carbon atoms in fuel molecules.
Prediction
I think that paraffin will give off the most energy when burned because it has more carbon atoms and carbon chains so it will be harder to break these chains making it harder to burn. Although it is harder to burn because it has more chains and carbon atoms it will release a lot of energy than the rest. Also because it is a polymer it has more chains than we can count so it should have lost of energy. However the butanol could be the fuel to produce the most energy because although the paraffin is a polymer since it is harder to burn it will also take longer to burn and it might not burn within the time limit. So since butanol is the fuel with the second highest carbon atoms and the second longest carbon chains it will burn within this time and may produce the most energy.
Apparatus
Tongs: I am using tongs because I do not want to burn my hand while holding the test-tube
Test tube: I am using this because the thermometer with a cork fits it and also to hold the water.
Water: to use as the substance to contain the heat given off by each fuel
Spirit burner: I am using this to safely burn the fuels
Thermometer with a cork: I am using a thermometer to take the temperate of the water. The reason I am using one with a cork attached is to keep in as much heat as possible.
Timer: I am using the timer to make sure I burn the fuel for the right amount of time
Measuring cylinder: I am using the measuring cylinder to measure the water making sure it is the right amount
Wooden split: I am using this because it is a safe way of lighting the Bunsen burner
Fuels: ethanol, propanol, butanol, paraffin
I am using a range of fuels with different hydrocarbons because I want to see the energy of different fuels. Also this is what is available to me
References: http://www.springerlink.com/content/u773711835747lx8/