Comparing the intramolecular forces of alcohols by combustion

Personal engagement:

Alcohols combust to produce large amount of energy. Moreover, they are used in our daily life such
as ethanol are used in petrol and part of the ingredients in cosmetics and beauty products.1 Methanol
are also used as petrol however more commonly used in stunt and car racing.1 Therefore the aim of
this experiment is to investigate how does the number of chains in alcohol affect their enthalpy of
combustion.

Research question:

To what extend does the number of carbon chains of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and
pentanol affect their enthalpy of combustion?

Background information:

Alcohols are organic compounds that are made of the hydroxyl ion (- OH). They have hydrogen
bonding, dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals dispersion force are consist in alcohols.
Therefore, as the carbon chain length increases, the boiling point increases because it takes more
energy for it to overcome the forces.2 The standard enthalpy change is the enthalpy change that results
when one mole of a compound reacts with oxygen at 298K and 1.00 × 105 Pa. The standard enthalpy
of combustion is the enthalpy change that results when one mole of a compound reacts with the
oxygen at standard conditions.
This is the enthalpy change of combustion for each alcohol:

3
CH3OH(l) +2O2(g) → CO2(g) +2H20(l)
C2H5OH (l) + 3O2(g) →2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)
1
C3H7OH(l) +4 2O2(g) →3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
C4H9OH(l) +6O2(g) →4CO2(g) + 5H2O(l)
1
C5H11OH(l) +7 2O2(g) →5CO2(g) + 6H2O(l)
Hypothesis:

The greater the number of carbon chains, the greater the change in the enthalpy of combustion.

1
https://byjus.com/chemistry/uses-of-methanol-and-ethanol/
2
https://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/background.html
Methodology:

Independent variable: change in the length of the carbon chains

- The length of the carbon chains in change by using different alcohols: methanol, ethanol,
propanol, butanol and pentanol.
Dependent variable: Mass of alcohol burned (g)
- The mass of alcohol burned is measured using an analytical weighing scale. The initial mass
of the spirit burner is weighed before combusting and final mass of the spirit burner is
weighed after combusting with the lid.
Control variables:
- Temperature change in water
- The amount of water in the calorimeter
To keep the temperature change of the water constant, the initial temperature of the water is measured
using a thermometer and when the temperature has increased by 20 ℃ the reaction is stop by
replacing the lid. The amount of water in the calorimeter is kept constant by using 100cm3 of water
every time measured by a measuring cylinder with an uncertainty of ±0.1.

List of apparatus:
1. Analytical measuring balance
2. Measuring cylinder (±0.5)
3. Thermometer
4. Spirit burner
5. Retort stands with clamp
6. Matchbox
7. Distilled water
8. calorimeter
9. Safety googles

Method:
1. Use a retort stand and clamp to secure the metal can over the spirit burner
2. Use a measuring cylinder to measure a 100cm3 of water into the steel can and measure its
temperature.
3. Measure the mass of the spirit burner with its lid
4. Place the spirit burner under the steel can and light it up
5. Stir the water with a stirring stick and measure the temperature of the water after 3 minutes.
6. Replace the lid to put the flame out
7. Measure and record the mass of the spirit burner with its lid and the temperature of the water
8. Repeat steps 2-7 for the other 2 alcohols, use fresh water for each experiment
 3

Safety, ethical and environmental issues:

Safety:
- Wear safety goggles to protect the area around the eye caused by the splattering of chemicals
or breaking glass.
- Wear lab coat at all time to minimize the exposure of skin to alcohols
- Be careful when handling thermometer.

Ethical and environment issues:

During combustion, carbon dioxide is released as a by-product which is a greenhouse gas where it
might contribute to the greenhouse effect. It may cause an increase in global temperature

Analysis:
Raw Data:
Table 1: Raw data table
Types of Initial Final Change in Initial Final mass Change
alcohol temperature temperature temperature mass of of spirit in mass
used of water (℃) of water (℃) (℃) spirit burner (g) (g)
burner (g)
Methanol 26 46 20 180.2021 179.2231 0.979
Ethanol 26 46 20 199.2170 198.3616 0.855
Propanol 26 46 20 140.5726 139.9488 0.624
Butanol 26 46 20 160.0970 159.3671 0.730
Pentanol 26 46 20 168.6864 168.1084 0.578
Table 1: Raw data table

3
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Processed Data:

In his experiment, the heat change of water is assumed to equal the heat change of the reaction
therefore the equation of heat energy change can be used:
Q =mcΔT
m = mass of the water (g)
c = specific heat capacity (JK-1 g-1)
ΔT = change in temperature in water (℃)

The example calculation of methanol:

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠
Moles of methanol=
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
0.979
=12.01+3.03+16
= 0.032
Q = mcΔT
= 100 × 4.18 × 20
= 8360J
= 8.36kJ

−8.36
ΔHc = 0.032
= - 261.25 kJ mol-1
Thus, it resulted in an exothermic reaction therefore the enthalpy is negative.

Type of Change in mass Number of Heat of water Enthalpy of combustion (kJ

alcohols (g) ±0.001 moles of alcohol (J) mol-1)
Methanol 0.979 0.032 122474 - 261.25
Ethanol 0.855 0.019 122474 -440.00
Propanol 0.624 0.010 122474 -836.00
Butanol 0.730 0.010 122474 -836.00
Pentanol 0.578 0.007 122474 -1194.29
Table 2: Processed Data table
 Percentage uncertainty:

Type of Uncertainty in Percentage uncertainty Total uncertainty

alcohols
Methanol Mass balance = ±0.001 0.002 0.204%+5%+0.5%
× 100
= 0.979 ± (2 × 0.001) 0.979 = 5.704%
= 0.204%
Thermometer= 0.5℃ 1 Uncertainty in kJ/mol
× 100 = 5% 5.704
= 20℃ ± (2 × 0.5) 20 = 100 × 261.25
Measuring cylinder= 0.5cm3 0.5
× 100 = 0.5% = ±14.9 kJ mol-1
= 100𝑐𝑚3 ± 0.5 100
Ethanol Mass balance = ±0.001 0.002 0.234%+5%+0.5%
× 100
=0.855 ± (2 × 0.001) 0.855 = 5.734%
= 0.234%
Thermometer= 0.5℃ 1 Uncertainty in kJ/mol
× 100 = 5% 5.734
= 20℃ ± (2 × 0.5) 20 = × 440
100
Measuring cylinder= 0.5cm3 0.5
× 100 = 0.5% = ±25.23 kJ mol-1
= 100𝑐𝑚3 ± 0.5 100
Propanol Mass balance = ±0.001 0.002 0.321%+5%+0.5%
× 100
=0.624 ± (2 × 0.001) 0.624 = 5.821%
= 0.321%
Thermometer= 0.5℃ 1 Uncertainty in kJ/mol
× 100 = 5% 5.821
= 20℃ ± (2 × 0.5) 20 = 100 × 836
Measuring cylinder= 0.5cm3 0.5
× 100 = 0.5% = ±48.66 kJ mol-1
= 100𝑐𝑚3 ± 0.5 100
Butanol Mass balance = ±0.001 0.002 0.274%+5%+0.5%
× 100
=0.730 ± (2 × 0.001) 0.730 = 5.774%
= 0.274%
Thermometer= 0.5℃ 1 Uncertainty in kJ/mol
× 100 = 5% 5.774
= 20℃ ± (2 × 0.5) 20 = 100 × 836
Measuring cylinder= 0.5cm3 0.5
× 100 = 0.5% = ±48.27 kJ mol-1
= 100𝑐𝑚3 ± 0.5 100
Pentanol Mass balance = ±0.001 0.002 0.346%+5%+0.5%
× 100
=0.578 ± (2 × 0.001) 0.578 = 5.846%
= 0.346%
Thermometer= 0.5℃ 1 Uncertainty in kJ/mol
× 100 = 5% 5.846
= 20℃ ± (2 × 0.5) 20 = 100 × 1194.29
Measuring cylinder= 0.5cm3 0.5
× 100 = 0.5% = ±69.82 kJ mol-1
= 100𝑐𝑚3 ± 0.5 100
Percentage error:
𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100
𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Type of alcohol Percentage error

Methanol Theoretical value = -726
−726−(− 261.25)
Percentage error= × 100
−726
= 64.02%
Ethanol Theoretical value = -1367
−1367−(− 440)
Percentage error= −1367
× 100
= 67.81%
Propanol Theoretical value = -2021
−2021−(− 836)
Percentage error= −2021
× 100
= 58.63%
Butanol Theoretical value = -2676
−2676−(− 836)
Percentage error= −2676
× 100
= 68.76%
Pentanol Theoretical value = -3329
−3329−(−1194.29)
Percentage error= −3329
× 100
= 64.12%
Conclusion:

The result of the experiment concurs with my hypothesis which is the greater the number of the
carbon chain, the greater the enthalpy change of combustion. Therefore, it is showed in the results that
as the carbon chain increases, the enthalpy change becomes more negative
and more exothermic as heat is released to the surroundings. However, the percentage error in the
experiment is considered high. For example, the highest percentage error is butanol which is of
68.76%. Moreover, all of percentage errors are more than 50% therefore there will be some weakness
and errors that can be avoid.

Evaluation:

Problems Improvements
Weakness
Heat loss to surroundings: - Insulation and a lid above the
- No insulation causes more heat loss to calorimeter should be added so that it
surroundings therefore it takes more could reduce the amount of heat loss to
time and more alcohol to increase the the surroundings.
temperature
Incomplete combustion
- There could have been incomplete - Excess oxygen required for complete
combustion during the process therefore combustion as incomplete combustion
it will result to more time needed and may cause soot to form.
thus more fuel is needed.
Measuring tools:
- Measuring cylinder was used to
measure the amount of water and has an - More accurate measuring tools could be
uncertainty of ±0.5 used such as a burette (±0.1)

Limitations
Distance between the spirit burner and
calorimeter:
- The distance between the spirit burner - A ruler should be used to measure the
and calorimeter can be changed during distance between the spirit burner and
the process of changing water calorimeter to keep the distance
constant to ensure a reliable result

Error
Systematic:
- Formation of soot may cause systematic error as it may affect the energy needed for the
combustion.
Bibliography
Byjus.com. (2019). Uses of Methanol and Ethanol In Everyday Life | Natural Gas Bio fuel. [online]
Available at: https://byjus.com/chemistry/uses-of-methanol-and-ethanol/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].

2
Chemguide.co.uk. (2019). an introduction to alcohols. [online] Available at:
https://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/background.html [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019]. 4

3
Docbrown.info. (2019). Alcohols Ethanol manufacture fermentation physical properties chemical
reactions combustion gcse chemistry revision notes igcse revising KS4 science. [online] Available at:
http://www.docbrown.info/page04/OilProducts09.htm [Accessed 29 Mar. 2019].