Plan

Aim: To compare the enthalpy change of combustion of different alcohols.

Methanol: CH3OH
Ethanol: C2H5OH
Propan-1-ol: C3H8O
Propan-2-ol: CH3CHOHCH3
Butan-1-ol: C4H10O
Apparatus: Spirit burners containing methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol,
and butan-2-ol (these alcohols are being used to trends can be spotted, also butan-1-ol and
butan-2-ol are being used to compare the differences between a branched and an un-branched
alcohol.)

* Copper can or any other metal container to act as a calorimeter

(the copper calorimeter can also indicate incomplete combustion if soot is present, also it being a
metal the heat is transferred efficiently from the burner to the water.)
* 0-110 C thermometer
* 100cm measuring cylinder
* access to balance

NB: Before carrying out this experiment, make sure you are wearing safety gear e.g.
safety goggles, lab coat and gloves if necessary.

- Firstly, using the measuring cylinder, pour 200cm3 of cool water into the copper
calorimeter.
- Then support the calorimeter over a spirit burner containing the alcohol. To
avoid energy or heat loss, draughts should be put around the apparatus. (This is
done so that the results are accurate, as heat loss would mean more fuel mass is burnt)

- Spirit burner must be weighed at least 3 times, and then the average weight

recorded. (This is done to avoid any errors carried out during measurement, taking an average
would in effect lessen or eliminate the errors)
- The temperature of the water must then be recorded, taking care to take the
correct temperature reading, i.e., looking at the thermometer at eye level. (This is
also done to avoid systematic error, as taking the wrong temperature could swing the mass of fuel
burnt either way.)

- Then the burner must be placed under the calorimeter and the wick ignited.
- Heat the water and allow its temperature to rise by 15-20 C. Constantly stir
the water throughout - the heating process. The maximum temperature reached
must be recorded. (Controlling the temperature is essential to make the test fair for all
alcohols, so all alcohols heat the water to the same temperature.)
- Then finally the weight of the burner must be taken to find out the mass of
alcohol/fuel has been burnt through the process, also recording it 3 times and
using the average to avoid inaccuracy.
- Repeat the same procedure for the other alcohols.
NB: It is important that the lid on the spirit burners be kept screwed on,
and never taken off to avoid evaporation, this is to avoid inaccurate
results.
Risk Assessment

Methanol:

Methanol is very flammable. The pure liquid catches fire easily and
aqueous solutions containing a significant amount of methanol can also
catch fire.
Methanol is toxic. If ingested or inhaled it can cause harmful effects, from
sickness, heart and liver damage to reproductive harm, blindness or
death.
Methanol burns with an invisible flame, so it is not always easy to tell
whether a methanol flame is still alight.
To do the experiment safely, safety glasses must be worn at all times
during the experiment.
Any source of ignition must be removed from the working area. The
vapour should not be breathed in, so a fume cupboard must be used if
available. If this is not available, the area in which you work must be well
ventilated.
In case of:
Eye Contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Continue for
several minutes and call for medical help.
Skin Contact: A person whose clothes are soaked in methanol will be at

serious risk from fire, so immediately remove any contaminated clothing

and store well away from a source of ignition (preferably outside). Wash
exposed skin with soap and water. If the skin reddens or appears
damaged, or if methanol may have been swallowed, call for medical aid.
If Swallowed: Call for immediate medical help; if the quantity swallowed is
significant urgent medical action is vital.

Ethanol:
It is important to avoid eye contact as it can cause irritation. Small single
instance doses of ethanol may not be harmful; however, large doses may
be and have been fatal. Constant ingestion of ethanol may lead to
damage to organs, such as the liver, and may increase the risk of cancer.
Ethanol is very flammable, so is a fire risk.
To work safely, safety glasses must be worn. No sources of ignition, such
as a gas flame, hot plate, are present in the working area. Fume cupboard
must be used, or the room used must be very well ventilated.
In case of:
Eye Contact: Flush the eye with plenty of water. If irritation persists, call
for medical help.
Skin Contact: Wash off with water.
If Swallowed: If the quantity swallowed is large, call for medical help

Propan-1-ol:
Very flammable and evaporates readily, so theres possibility of dangerous
levels of vapour to building up, and reaching a point at which explosion is
possible if a source of ignition is present.
To work safely, ensure that safety glasses are worn. Make sure that there
are no sources of ignition, such as a Bunsen burner e.t.c, near the working
area. A fume cupboard must be used, or working in a well ventilated area.
In case of:
Eye Contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. If irritation
persists, call for medical help
Skin Contact: Wash off with water. Remove any contaminated clothing.
Note that clothing soaked in propan-1-ol will present a significant fire risk,

so should be removed immediately and placed in a safe location outside

the building or in a fume cupboard.
If swallowed: Call for medical help

Butan-1-ol:
Butan-1-ol is very harmful if swallowed, or inhaled. It is also very
flammable.
To work safely, safety glasses must be worn.
The room being used must have adequate ventilation, fume cupboards
recommended.
Avoid sources of ignition.
In case of:
Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. If irritation
persists, call for medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with water. Discard any contaminated clothing. If
the skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid. Be aware that
clothes soaked in butan-1-ol present a serious fire risk, so ensure that
clothes are kept well away from sources of ignition.
If swallowed: Seek medical help immediately

Propan-2-ol:
Propan-2-ol is very flammable. It can be ignited by flames, but also by
contact with such items as hot plates. To work safely, safety glasses must
be worn and the room must be well ventilated, to avoid high
concentrations of vapour forming.
In case of:
Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. If irritation
persists, call for medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with soap and water. Remove any contaminated
clothing in a safe area. Be especially careful if a large volume of 2propanol has been spilled on clothes, since there is the risk of very serious
burns if the clothing catches fire. If the skin reddens or appears damaged,
call for medical aid.
If swallowed: Call for medical help.

Table of Results

Alcoho
l

Initial
Mass/g

1
st
Metha
nol
Ethan
ol
Propa
n-1-ol
Butan1-ol
Butan2-ol

2n
d

Avg.
Initi
al
Mass
/g
3r
d

Final
Mass/g

1
st

2n
d

Avg.
Final
Mass
/g

3r
d

(Wat
er)
Initia
l
Temp
/ C

(water)
Final
Temp/
C

Temp.
Differe
nce/ C

Bibliography
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:

http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/~hmc/hsci/chemicals/methanol.html
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/~hmc/hsci/chemicals/ethyl_alcohol.html
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/~hmc/hsci/chemicals/1-propanol.html
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/~hmc/hsci/chemicals/1-butanol.html
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/~hmc/hsci/chemicals/2-propanol.html