Heat of combustion of alcohols

Research question:
"How do the experimentally determined enthalpies of combustion for methanol, ethanol,
propan-2-ol, and butanol compare to their accepted standard values, and what factors
influence the discrepancies between the experimental and accepted values?"

Hypothesis:
The longer the carbon chain of an alcohol is, the greater is the combustion of the
alcohol going to be

Background Information:

The heat produced when one mole of a substance is burned in excess oxygen is called
the enthalpy of combustion. Methanol, Ethanol, Propan-2-ol and Butanol all belong to
the same homologous series, alcohols, with the functional group -OH. They are formed
with hydrogen bonds and Van der Waal’s forces which increase as the length of the
carbon chain increases. A complete combustion of alcohol produces carbon dioxide and
Water. All formulas for the combustions of the used alcohols is given below:

Methanol: 2CH3OH+3O2→2CO2+4H2O
​

Ethanol: C2H5OH+3O2→2CO2+3H2O
Propan-2-ol: C3H8O+4.5O2→3CO2+4H2O
Butanol: C4H10O+6O2→4CO2+5H2O

Aim of the experiment:

The aim of this experiment is to determine the enthalpies of combustion for Methanol,
Ethanol, Propan-2-ol and Butanol. By measuring the temperature change of water and
the mass lost by the alcohols over 5 minutes when being exposed to the combustion of
the named alcohols, this experiment seeks to calculate the enthalpies of the combustion
and compare them to values of other researches.
 Methodology used:

This experiment will involve the burning of different alcohols in a safe environment and
measuring the heat released during combustion. A known quantity of alcohol is burnt
over a specific period of time under a Erlenmeyer flask containing a specific amount of
water (50 cm³). The change in temperature of the water is measured to calculate the
amount of heat released during the combustion. This heat will then be used to calculate
the enthalpy of combustion for each alcohol. For every alcohol used in the experiment,
there will be 3 different trials in order to avoid outliers by using the average of the
measurements for the calculations.

Key findings:

Table Metha Metha Metha Ethan Ethan Ethan Propa Propa Propa Butan Butan Buta
1 nol nol nol ol ol ol n-2-ol n-2-ol n-2-ol ol ol nol

Trial1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial1 Trial2 Trial 3

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial
3

Initial 25*C 25.5*C 25*C 24*C 24*C 24*C 24*C 24*C 25*C 25.5*C 26*C 26.5*C
Temp.

Final 58*C 58.5*C 57.5*C 63*C 65*C 69*C 64*C 64*C 65*C 57*C 60.5*C 57.80C
Temp.

Initial 312.28 308.88 305.49 299.65 296.47 293.14 287.36 284.80 282.15 304.4 302.03 300.11
Mass
(g)

Final 308.88 305.49 302.06 296.47 293.14 289.45 284.80 282.15 279.45 302.03 300.11 298.15
Mass
(g)
Methanol:

Average temperature change of water (Methanol):

Trial 1: 58*C-25*C=33*C
Trial 2: 58.5*C-25.5*C= 33*C
Trial 3: 57.5*C-25*C=32*C
33+33+32
Average temperature change: 3
= 32. 67*C
Average change in mass after combustion (Methanol):
Trial 1: 312.28g - 308.88g = 3,4g
Trial 2: 308.88g - 305.49g = 3,39g
Trial 3: 305.49g - 302.06g = 3,43g

3,4+3,39,3,43
Average change in mass: 3
= 3, 41𝑔

In order to calculate the enthalpy of combustion of methanol, one first needs to

calculate:

1. Heat absorbed by the water:

𝑞 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × ∆𝑇
3
m= mass of water in (50𝑐𝑚 = 50g)
c= specific heat capacity of water (4.18J/g*C)
∆𝑇= change in water temperature (C) (32.67*C)

𝐽
50𝑔 × 4. 18 𝑔*𝐶
× 32. 67 * 𝐶 = 6828. 03 𝐽

2. Calculate the Enthalpy of Combustion of Methanol:

𝑞
𝑞𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑

q= 6828.03J
Mass burned= 3.41g

6828.03𝐽
3.41𝑔
= 2002. 35 joules per gram

● Calculate the heat released per mole:

 ΔHcombustion=q per gram×molar mass of methanol

Molar mass of methanol=(1×12.01g/mol)+(4×1.008g/mol)+(1×16.00g/mol)= 32.04g/mol

𝐽 𝑔
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2002. 35 𝑔
× 32. 04 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐽 𝑘𝐽
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 64. 155, 294 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 64. 16 𝑚𝑜𝑙

The enthalpy of combustion of methanol equals 64.16kJ/mol. Since the

combustion of methanol is exothermic (a chemical reaction that releases energy
in the form of heat, resulting in a decrease in the internal energy of the reactants
and an increase in the surrounding environment's temperature) it is typically
expressed as a negative number. Meaning:

The enthalpy of combustion of methanol= -64.16kJ/mol

Ethanol:

Average temperature change of water (Ethanol):

Trial 1: 63*C - 24*C = 39*C

Trial 2: 65*C - 24*C = 41*C
Trial 3: 69*C - 24*C = 45*C
39+41+45
Average temperature change: 3
= 41, 67*C

Average change in mass after combustion (Ethanol):

Trial 1: 299.65g - 296.47g = 3.18g
Trial 2: 296.47g - 293.14g = 3.33g
Trial 3: 293.14g - 289.45g = 3.69g
3.18+3.33+3.69
Average change in mass: 3
= 3.4g

In order to calculate the enthalpy of combustion of ethanol, one first needs to calculate:
1. Heat absorbed by the water:
𝑞 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × ∆𝑇
3
m= mass of water in (50𝑐𝑚 = 50g)
c= specific heat capacity of water (4.18J/g*C)
∆𝑇= change in water temperature (C) (41,67*C)

𝐽
50𝑔 × 4. 18 𝑔*𝐶
× 41, 67 * 𝐶 = 8709, 03 𝐽

2. Calculate the Enthalpy of Combustion of Ethanol:

𝑞
𝑞𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑

q= 8709,03J
Mass burned= 3.4g

8709,03𝐽
3.4𝑔
= 2561, 48 joules per gram

● Calculate the heat released per mole:

ΔHcombustion=q per gram×molar mass of ethanol

Molar mass of
ethanol=(2×12.01g/mol)+(6×1.008g/mol)+(1×16.00g/mol)= 46.07g/mol

𝐽 𝑔
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2561, 48 𝑔
× 46. 07 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐽 𝑘𝐽
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 118007, 38 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 118. 01 𝑚𝑜𝑙

The enthalpy of combustion of ethanol equals 118.01kJ/mol. Since the

combustion of ethanol is exothermic,it is typically expressed as a negative
number. Meaning:

The enthalpy of combustion of ethanol= -118.01kJ/mol

 Propan-2-ol:

Average temperature change of water (Propan-2-ol):

Trial 1: 64*C - 24*C = 40*C
Trial 2: 64*C - 24*C = 40*C
Trial 3: 65*C - 25*C = 40*C
40+40+40
Average temperature change: 3
= 40*C
Average change in mass after combustion (Propan-2-ol):
Trial 1: 287.36g - 284.80g = 2.56g
Trial 2: 284.80g - 282.15g = 2.65g
Trial 3: 282.15g - 279.45g = 2.7g
2.56+2.65+2.7
Average change in mass: 3
= 2. 64𝑔

In order to calculate the enthalpy of combustion of propan-2-ol, one first needs to

calculate:

3. Heat absorbed by the water:

𝑞 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × ∆𝑇
3
m= mass of water in (50𝑐𝑚 = 50g)
c= specific heat capacity of water (4.18J/g*C)
∆𝑇= change in water temperature (C) (40*C)

𝐽
50𝑔 × 4. 18 𝑔*𝐶
× 40 * 𝐶 = 8360 𝐽

4. Calculate the Enthalpy of Combustion of Propan-2-ol:

𝑞
𝑞𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑

q= 8360J
Mass burned= 2.64g

8360𝐽
2.64𝑔
= 3166, 67 joules per gram

● Calculate the heat released per mole:

ΔHcombustion=q per gram×molar mass of propan-2-ol

 Molar mass of propan-2-ol=(3×12.01g/mol)+(8×1.008g/mol)+(1×16.00g/mol)=60.09g/mol

𝐽 𝑔
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 3166, 67 𝑔
× 60. 09 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐽 𝑘𝐽
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 190. 285, 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 190. 29 𝑚𝑜𝑙

The enthalpy of combustion of propan-2-ol equals 190.29kJ/mol. Since the

combustion of propan-2-ol is exothermic, it is typically expressed as a negative
number. Meaning:

The enthalpy of combustion of propan-2-ol= -190.29kJ/mol

Butanol:

Average temperature change of water (Butanol:

Trial 1: 57*C - 25.5*C
Trial 2: 60.5*C - 26*C
Trial 3: 57.80*C - 26.5*C
25.5*𝐶+26*𝐶+26.5*𝐶
Average temperature change: 3
= 26*C
Average change in mass after combustion (Butanol):
Trial 1: 304.40g - 302.03g = 2.37g
Trial 2: 302.03g - 300.11g = 1.92g
Trial 3: 300.11g - 298.15g = 1.96
2.37+1.92+1.96
Average change in mass: 3
= 2. 08𝑔

In order to calculate the enthalpy of combustion of butanol, one first needs to calculate:

5. Heat absorbed by the water:

𝑞 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × ∆𝑇
3
m= mass of water in (50𝑐𝑚 = 50g)
c= specific heat capacity of water (4.18J/g*C)
∆𝑇= change in water temperature (C) (26*C)
 𝐽
50𝑔 × 4. 18 𝑔*𝐶
× 26 * 𝐶 = 5434 𝐽

6. Calculate the Enthalpy of Combustion of Butanol:

𝑞
𝑞𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑

q= 5434J
Mass burned= 2.08g

5434𝐽
2.08𝑔
= 2612. 5 joules per gram

● Calculate the heat released per mole:

ΔHcombustion=q per gram×molar mass of butanol

Molar mass of butanol= (4×12.01g/mol)+(10×1.008g/mol)+(1×16.00g/mol)=74.12g/mol

𝐽 𝑔
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2612. 5 𝑔
× 74. 12 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐽 𝑘𝐽
∆𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 193. 638. 5 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 193. 64 𝑘𝐽/𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑙

The enthalpy of combustion of butanol equals 193.64kJ/mol. Since the

combustion of butanol is exothermic, it is typically expressed as a negative
number. Meaning:

The enthalpy of combustion of butanol= -193.64kJ/mol

After the calculations above, all the enthalpy changes of combustion are calculated for
each alcohol. To get a better overview, all the results are shown below:
● Methanol: -64.16kJ/mol
● Ethanol: -118.01kJ/mol
● Propan-2-ol: -190.29kJ/mol
● Butanol: -193.64kJ/mol

Image1:Methanol image2: Ethanol Image3:Propan-2-ol Image4: Butanol

When taking a look at the results of the calculations of the enthalpy changes of
combustions, while taking the images which are showing the carbon change lengths in
consideration, one may already come to the conclusion that the hypothesis has already
been proven. To get the last approvement, one has to look at already existing data. The
website “The open Universitsy” however came to completely different results. The
results from the website are shown below:

Alcohol ΔH combustion/ KJ mol

Methanol -380

Ethanol -697

Propan-2-ol -1045

Butanol -1393
Table:2
Reflecting& Improvments:
Those different results possibly arised from different experimental standards while
conducting the experiment itself, like different quality of equipment, different quality of
experience. The lack of quality of my own experiment could originate from different
factors. First, I would not have used the same Erlenmeyer flask for all three different
trials especially not for all different kinds of alcohol, due to the fact that the Erlenmeyer
Flask never had the chance to fully restore its original temperature, since it was
constantly heated. Furthermore, the real energy of the enthalpy change combustion can
not be measured 100% correctly when there is a glass, and metal in between the flame
and the water. Also no matter how one adjusts the experiment using school lab
equipment, one will never be able to stop energy from being lost to the surroundings.
The accuracy could be improved by using different Erlenmeyer flasks throughout each
trial. Additionally heat lost could be improved by using a calorimeter. Also, throughout
the process of collecting data, students could stir the water in order to ensure an even
distribution of the heat.

Conclusion& Evalutations:
It seems like many things went wrong in the conducted experiment. Mistakes were
definitely made when taking values from the trials, and also the calculations made could
possibly be wrong. Stated improvements above could lead to better results and
measurements. Even Though the experiment might have not produced the correct
results, it still shows the correct tendencies and proves the hypothesis after comparing
my own results with results on the internet. The longer the carbon chain of an alcohol,
the higher will its enthalpy change of combustion be.
Sources:
Image1:
https://www.google.com/imgres?q=carbon%20chain%20methanol&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbiologydictionary.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FMethanol-flat-structure.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A
%2F%2Fbiologydictionary.net%2Fmethanol%2F&docid=gSMZ3e59tpDBEM&tbnid=Zol3WVikxFuMLM&vet=12ahUKEwijs4_6y92FAxXRhP0HHYsdADcQM3oECBkQAA..i&w=500&h=385&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwij
s4_6y92FAxXRhP0HHYsdADcQM3oECBkQAA

Image2:
https://www.google.com/imgres?q=carbon%20chain%20ETHANO&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FEFy8PVWW4AI4r10.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fsorenrags%2Fst
atus%2F1179024177359196160&docid=AFLOO1BD5Hl7UM&tbnid=5dPWUenD2UQCBM&vet=12ahUKEwj_4uTmy92FAxWAhP0HHQGbB2EQM3oECBcQAA..i&w=567&h=340&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwj_4uTmy9
2FAxWAhP0HHQGbB2EQM3oECBcQAA

Image3:https://www.google.com/imgres?q=carbon%20chain%20propan-2-ol&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fqph.cf2.quoracdn.net%2Fmain-qimg-e0965eacec16814b944bf7c53cc773b4.webp&imgrefurl=ht
tps%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FHow-can-one-distinguish-between-propan-1-ol-and-propan-2-ol&docid=-LCWDsaTbPfF2M&tbnid=Lq3_2t5qH_kR5M&vet=12ahUKEwjN2KbWy92FAxVDgP0HHSo9CYQQM3
oECGkQAA..i&w=474&h=274&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwjN2KbWy92FAxVDgP0HHSo9CYQQM3oECGkQAA

Image4:
https://www.google.com/imgres?q=carbon%20chain%20butanol&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F4%2F4b%2FButanol_flat_structure.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F
%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FButanol_fuel&docid=zYF3i3itP538OM&tbnid=bWTspCW1PvqbjM&vet=12ahUKEwjx9dbWyd2FAxVy_rsIHbpeARoQM3oECBoQAA..i&w=1688&h=747&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwjx9d
bWyd2FAxVy_rsIHbpeARoQM3oECBoQAA

Table 2:
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/3a/85/3a85ca13043c0f291f683263291bf4b583814beb?response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22OSA_EL_Combustion_of_alcohols.pdf%22&response-con
tent-type=application%2Fpdf&Expires=1714077840&Signature=DNPEMAtj1YD6BL0E42pT8rq~VlJQKINVUX8qsguZmXpw8WaqrtPyYEEeGNIpXNxDvL7-fGuP7Y8K~KiWraR6uS3K8BV2HbBvQ7xRQ~5iXiG6TJ
WVpzcF9YFBbtglHBr-YHNr5rgYkqDELQTE0zLwIbBtKJ0ikQJ5iO6zgcbAkTeiY2QO2YkWs08AXDqaQax~MC6BxUmDotuk~ECvkPi~rVPxBGFNZprvoE5QJiOKChwo8QPNmFwPFFH1Oob7jx9TWcqrA1Gmb9k5cv
y1INsNBFL6x5ScEH8GIVAr1cWAVroIdgWPcpM5iHjSEPEdDKQm2zuuG1B2rsy9vtTz7NIZtg__&Key-Pair-Id=K19YM1UI0NPZI1