Pentane Combustion Lab

Aim:
The aim of this experiment is to determine which fuel, out of Pentane, Propane-1-ol and Propane-2-ol would be the most appropriate to take on a camping trip to a national park where wood cannot be used to burn. Factors that need to be considered are:
• Heat of combustion (flash point)
• Heat of vaporisation (boiling point)
• How long the fuel will last
• Does the fuel heat up the water relatively quickly
• Does the fuel combust completely
Hypothesis:
If the tests are all successful, Pentane should produce a larger flame than the Propan-1-ol or Propan-2-ol as it is the most flammable and has the most energy. This however, may mean that it is too dangerous to take camping as the fire may quickly get out of control.
Pentane has a flash
Information needed:
No. of moles: 0.008
Change in mass: 0.5023g
Specific heat capacity: 4.2
Change in temperature: 10.5°C
Molar mass: 60.1g/mol

Firstly to calculated a sample for heat of combustion (-∆H) the heat (Q) needs to be calculated. Using the first tests’ results.
The formula for Q is
Q = mc∆T
Q = 0.5023grams x 4.2 x 10.5°C
Q = 23.15143
Next the number of moles have to be found, the formula for N is
N = m / mm
N = 0.5023grams / 60.1grams/mol
N = 0.008
Finally the heat of combustion can now be found
-∆H = -Q / N
-∆H = -23.15143 / 0.008
-∆H = -2.89392875kJ per mole

From the tests conducted it was found that Pentane is not a suitable fuel to use for cooking as it is too flammable and dangerous. In the five experiments conducted, three were fails as the pentane vapours leaked out around the rim of the burner and caught fire so they had to be extinguished with sand. The other two tests were completed successfully. Out of the three fuels, Pentane also burnt the quickest.
All of the tests for Propan-1-ol and Propan-2-ol were completed successfully with no fires or other