Combustion of Hydrocarbon

Course: CHEF102B Experiment #3

Submitted to:
Date Performed: Monday, October 9, 2023
Date Submitted: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Lab Period: MON, WED 1:30 PM- 3:30 PM
 I. ABSTRACT

In this lab, students gather and analyze some of the products of organic compound
combustion. The experiment was carried out to see how a material changed state in the presence
of oxygen, resulting in the release of heat and light. Students also attempt to quantify the energy
released during the combustion of ethyl alcohol, generally known as ethanol, which is a solvent
for industrial use and a component of various automobile fuels. Students used filter paper that
had been soaked in cobalt chloride and lime water to test for the presence of water. The students
scraped the filter paper throughout the inner surface of the glass jar. When exposed to water, the
color of the paper changed from a vibrant blue to pink, indicating the paper's responsiveness to
carbon dioxide, which may have been identified by swirling the solution.
In the presence of oxygen, the students observed how hydrocarbons can produce total burning.
They found the presence of carbon dioxide by rubbing cobalt chloride paper while noticing
changes in their physical state when lime water was introduced.

II. INTRODUCTION
The experiment was performed to observe how a material changed state with oxygen,
resulting in the release of heat and light. The materials created by the combustion had been
investigated, gathered, and tested by students. In addition, the energy released by the ethyl
alcohol or ethanol, which serves as an industrial solvent and a constituent of some fuels, was
quantified. Students tested the presence of water through the use of filter paper that was soaked in
cobalt chloride and lime water. The filter paper was rubbed over the inside surface of the glass jar
by the students. When water was present, the paper's color changed from a vivid blue to pink,
showing its sensitivity to carbon dioxide, which might have been discovered by agitating the
solution.

III. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL LISTS

● Jar And Lid
● Graduated Cylinder
● Candle (Birthday Candle)
● Lighter
● Filter Paper
● Lime Water
● Cobalt Chloride

IV. PROCEDURE
To accomplish their specific objective, the students used an organized method consisting of four
separate phrases.

Part A.

1. Students must soak a piece of paper in cobalt chloride until the paper is completely
covered in cobalt chloride and turned pink.

Figure 1. After soaking the filter paper in cobalt chloride.

2. The cobalt chloride paper, by this time a vivid blue, had been dried by students using a
modest fan.

Figure 2. After the filter paper had dried out and turned into a vibrant blue.

3. They dried out an empty jar and lit their candle, which they had set on the top of the lid of
the jar that was turned upside-down.
4. As a proactive measure, the jar had been sealed by the students and diligently examined it
for any holes to ensure the prevention of gas leakage.
 Figure 3. The candle that was lit and had been sealed with the glass jar.

Part B.

1. The candle was lit by the students, which then watched for it to burn out naturally.
2. As the jar's lid was taken off, they quickly rubbed the inside with the cobalt chloride
paper.

Figure 4. The filter paper is rubbed with the insides of the jar to observe physical changes
when in contact with carbon dioxide.

3. As they wiped the cobalt chloride paper within the jar, it was observed that there is a
physical change, from a vibrant blue to a pink color.

Figure 5. The filter paper (color blue ) after having contact with the carbon dioxide turned into
color pink.
Part C.

1. After they had observed the cobalt chloride paper, they then added around 5ml lime water
to the jar and were swirled around to examine the physical change of lime water
2. The students observed that the lime water had turned cloudy, meaning it was contacted
with carbon dioxide.

Figure 6. The limewater had a cloudy physical appearance after having contact with
carbon dioxide.

V. RESULTS
With this in mind, the students observed how hydrocarbons can create complete
combustion in the presence of oxygen. They discovered the presence of carbon dioxide by
rubbing cobalt chloride paper and when the lime water was added and observed changes in their
physical state. The students noticed the sign that water was present after the oxygen from the
candle was used when the cobalt chloride paper turned pink (color of the filter paper soaked in
cobalt chloride before drying out). Additionally, after the lime water was added and stirred, the
lime water gradually turned from clear to cloudy, indicating the presence of carbon dioxide. The
students came upon the conclusion that carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) will be the two
byproducts produced as long as there is enough oxygen for complete combustion.

Questions:
1. What is an organic compound? What is a hydrocarbon? (GARCIA)
- Carbon molecules that are covalently bound to other atoms, most often hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen. The major distinction among these organic compounds and
inorganic compounds lies in the fact that organic compounds always contain a carbon
 atom, whereas most inorganic compounds do not. Basically every organic compound
includes a carbon-hydrogen or a fundamental C-H bond.
- Hydrocarbons are extremely hazardous and the world's primary energy source. Its
applications include gasoline, jet fuel, propane, kerosene, and diesel, just to mention a
few. Hydrocarbons are substances made up entirely of carbon and hydrogen. Carbon
atoms contain a total of four valence electrons, which allows them to connect in a
variety of ways.
2. What is a combustion reaction?
- Combustion is a rapid reaction of a substance with oxygen, which results in the
production of heat. Oxidizers are sources of oxygen, while fuel refers to the initial
substance. The fuel is frequently a liquid when used to drive an airplane, though.
Burning, also referred to as combustion, is a high-temperature exothermic redox
chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen, that
yields oxidized, generally gaseous products in a mixture known as smoke.

3. What products form in the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon? Are these products
formed during all combustion reactions? Explain.
- Once the oxygen reacts to the hydrocarbon, it will start to produce compounds like
H2O (water) and CO2 (carbon dioxide). Yes. Combustion will always produce
Carbon dioxide, water and heat no matter what kind of hydrocarbon. It is a natural
reaction when hydrocarbons combine with Oxygen.

4. Write the chemical equation for the complete combustion of C7H14O in air. (Be sure to
include all physical states: (s), (l), (g) in the equation.

C7H14O + 10 O2 = 7 CO2 + 7 H2O

(liquid) (gas) (gas) (liquid)

Reactants Products
C= 7 CO2= 7
H= 14 H2O= 14
O= 1
O2 = 2

REACTANTS PRODUCTS
 C7H14O O2 Total CO2 H2O Total

C 7 7 1 7 /

H 14 14 2x7 14 /

O 1 2 x 10.5 21 2x7 1x7 21 /

VI. CONCLUSION
Through the experiment, the students therefore conclude that carbon dioxide and water
was present during combustion when the paper soaked with cobalt chloride changed colors when
it was rubbed around inside the jar, indicating signs of water. Meanwhile when the jar was filled
with lime water and was swirled around, it became cloudy, showing signs that there was carbon
dioxide present. Thus, the experiment was successful as complete combustion was presented and
done.
VII. SOURCES

VIII. APPENDICES

Combustion of Methane Chemical Equation: CH4 + 2O2 — CO2 + 2 H2O

REACTANTS PRODUCTS

CH4 O2 Total CO2 H2O Total

C 1 1 1 1 /

H 4 4 2x2 4 /

O 2 2x2 4 2x2 2x2 4 /

Combustion of Octane Chemical Equation: 1C8H18 + 12.5 O2 — 8 CO2 + 9 H2O

REACTANTS PRODUCTS
 C8H18 O2 Total CO2 H2O Total

C 8x1 8 8x1 8 /

H 18 x 1 18 2x9 18 /

2x2 2 x 8 = 16 /
O 2 x 12.5 25 9 x 1= 9 25
16 + 9