Experiment No.
4
Heat of Combustion
I. Introduction
Fire is a chemical reaction in which energy in the form
of heat is produced. When forest fuels burn, there is a
chemical combination of the oxygen in the air with
woody material, pitch and other burnable elements
found in the forest environment. This process in known
as Combustion. Combustion is a chain reaction
chemically similar to photosynthesis in reverse.
Many chemical reactions are combustion reactions. The
heat of combustion is the amount of energy released
when a substance is burned in the presence of oxygen.
It is often important to understand that the energy
produced in such a reaction so to determine which fuel
might be the most efficient for a given purpose. The
molar heat of combustion (ΔH0C) is the heat released
when one mole of a substance is completely burned.
Heat of combustion, heat released during combustion.
In particular, it is the amount of heat released when a
given amount (usually 1 mole) of a combustible pure
substance is burned to form incombustible products
(e.g., water and carbon dioxide); this amount of heat is
a characteristic of the substance. Heats of combustion
are used as a basis for comparing the heating value of
fuels, since the fuel that produces the greater amount
of heat for a given cost is the more economic.
Heats of combustion are also used in comparing the
stabilities of chemical compounds. For example, if equal
quantities of two isomeric hydrocarbons burn to
produce equal amounts of carbon dioxide and water,
the one releasing more energy (i.e., with the higher
heat of combustion) is the less stable, since it was the
more energetic in its compounded form.
For this experiment, ethanol, propanol and butanol are
the alcohols that will be going to use to heat a certain
liquid to the target temperature. After that, the
researcher will compute the Heat Combustion of each
alcohol to identify the differences between the alcohols
that will be going to use.
Ethanol is an alcohol with a two carbon chain C 2H5OH.
C2H5OH + 3O2→ 2CO2 + 3H2O + Heat
Ethanol is also called an alcohol, ethyl alcohol and grain
alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid and the principle
ingredient in alcoholic beverages like beer, wine or
brandy. Because it can readily dissolve in water and
other organic compounds, ethanol also is an ingredient
in a range of products, from personal care and beauty
products to paints and varnishes to fuel.
Figure No.1
Ethanol Products
In addition, Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant
fermentation and also can be produced through the
hydration of ethylene.
Propanol is an alcohol with a three carbon chain
C3H7OH.
C3H7OH + 9O2→ 6CO2 + 8H2O + Heat
Propanol is less toxic and less volatile than methanol, so
it has some interesting properties as a fuel, although it
is rare to consider it a fuel, since most propanol
produced is used as a chemical solvent.
Currently, the main application of propanol today is for
the synthesis of propylene which is an important
building block in chemical industries.
Butanol is an alcohol with a four carbon chain C 4H9OH.
C4H9OH + 6O2→ 4CO2 + 5H2O + Heat
Figure No.2
Propanol Products
Butanol is of interest as a fuel for internal combustion
engines. Butanol, which is also called as butyl alcohol, is
a four-carbon alcohol and has five isomeric structures,
and the main reason for the demand for butanol is the
availability of butanol as biofuel.
Butanol has a higher energy density and lower vapour
pressure than ethanol, which makes it more attractive
as fuel or blending agent. Butanol is produced during
fermentation by solvent producing bacteria (e.g.
Clostridia acetobutylicum) in a process that is generally
referred to as Acetone, Butanol, Ethanol fermentation
(ABE).
Figure No.3
Butanol Products
II. Objectives
A. The purpose of this experiment is to understand
the heat of combustion
B. To know and understand the differences of heat
combustion between the alcohols: Ethanol,
Propanol, and Butanol.
C. The hypothesis for this experiment is:
Ho= As the number of carbon atom increases,
the heat combustion of each alcohol also
increases.
H1= As the number of carbon atom increases,
the heat combustion of each alcohol decreases.
D. For this experiment, the students will be able to
understand and solve problems related to the
heat combustion
E. To understand the relationship between the
heat of combustion and the number of carbon
atoms of the alcohol
F. The students will able to identify the errors they
might encounter while performing the
experiments
G. The Hypothesis for this experiment is:
Ho= The percent error for this Heat Combustion
experiment will be equal or less than 10%
H1= The percent error for this Heat Combustion
experiment will be more than 10%
III. Materials
The equipment that will be going to use are Triple Beam
Balance, 500 mL Beaker, Stirring Rod, 250 mL Graduated
Cylinder, Thermometer, Ring stand with the Ring Clamp.
Next the materials that will be going to use are three
different pieces of Empty Aluminum Cans that has
thread on it for hung purposes. Also, prepare at least 1
Liter of water. Next will be the three alcohols: capped
ethanol spirit burner, capped propanol spirit burner,
and the capped butanol spirit burner.
In this experiment, wearing a laboratory gown, gloves,
face mask, and goggles are necessary inside the
laboratory.
IV. Procedure
The experiment started in wearing the Personal
Protective Equipment in entering the laboratory. Next is
the preparation of the materials that will be going to
use for each set up of the experiment.
First, calibrate the triple Beam balance, then weigh the
empty aluminum can that has thread on it to record its
weight. After that, measure 300 mL of water by using
the 250 mL graduated cylinder, and transfer it gently
and carefully to the weighed empty aluminum can.
There will be a total of two transferring process done to
the aluminum can, since the maximum measurement of
graduated cylinder used is 250 mL. Then, insert a
thermometer to the aluminum can filled with 300 mL of
water to measure the initial temperature and record it.
Then, weight the aluminum can that has been filled with
water and record it.
After that, prepare the ring stand with the ring clamp on
it, then hung the aluminum can to the ring clamp using
the thread on it. Then weigh the capped ethanol spirit
burner to record its initial mass. After that, light the
ethanol spirit burner, then place it under the hung
aluminum can filled with water. After some time, wait
until the reading of the thermometer placed on the
aluminum can reach 50oC. Then extinguish the flame by
putting the cap of the ethanol spirit burner. Then stir
the water gently and record the water’s maximum
temperature it can reached, and reweigh the capped
Ethanol spirit burner using the triple beam balance, and
record its final mass. After that evaluate it using the
formula below:
of three experiments. The second experiment, will be
going to use different aluminum can with the thread on
it, then instead of using ethanol as alcohol, it will be
change into propanol. Then for the third experiment, it
will also change the aluminum can with the thread on it,
and the alcohol that will be going to use is the butanol.

After performing the experiments, analyze and

determine the differences between these alcohols.

Enthalpy change during combustion (ΔH)

Mass of alcohol burnt ΔH0C=
Moles of alcohol = Moles of alcohol
Molar mass of the alcohol
After these experiments, keep and dispose of the
After evaluation for the first experiment, repeat the material that are used respectively. And after that, clean
procedure from the first and last procedure of the first the working area.
experiment. Repeat it two times and it will have a total

V. Data
Table No. 1: Heat Combustion of Ethanol, Propanol, and Butanol
Ethanol Propanol Butanol
Mass of Aluminum Can 14 grams 13 grams 14.1 grams
Mass of water 300 grams 300 grams 300 grams
Mass of capped alcohol lamp filled with
140.4 grams 135.3 grams 110.5 grams
alcohol before burning M1
Mass of capped alcohol lamp filled with
136.7 grams 132.1 grams 109.6 grams
alcohol after burning M2
Mass of alcohol burnt 3.7 grams 3.2 grams 0.9 grams
Molar Mass of Alcohol 46.0638 grams/mol 60.0884 grams/mol 74.113 grams/mol
Initial Temperature of water T1 31 0C 31 0C 31 0C
0 0
Final Temperature of water T2 54 C 51 C 50 0C
ΔH0C Experimental -359.59 KJ/mol -471.62 KJ/mol -1964.83 KJ/mol
ΔH0C Theoretical -1367 KJ/mol -2021 KJ/mol -2676 KJ/mol
Percent Error 73.69% 76.66% 26.58%
The table above presents the gathered data in the From the table, each alcohol uses 300 mL of water to
experiment of heat combustion. This table presents that heat it up to 50 0C. After it reaches the targeted
masses of the materials used on each alcohol: Ethanol, temperature, the researchers will extinguish the fire to
Propanol, and Butanol. From this, it can be easily record its maximum temperature. Also, each set up
determined the differences of each set up. Also, it also started with the same initial temperature before
presents the theoretical and experimental data to find heating. For each experiment set up, it uses different
the percent error for this experiment. And for this types of aluminum can as the container for heating the
experiment, the researcher will going to use 10% as the water.
percent error for this experiment, to determine if the
experiment is accepted or not.

Calculations: burning M1 to the Mass of capped alcohol lamp filled

Ethanol with alcohol after burning M2:
To get the mass of the alcohol burnt, subtract the Mass
of capped alcohol lamp filled with alcohol before M1 – M2 = mass of the alcohol burnt
From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Note: The mass of alcohol burnt and the molar mass of
the alcohol is already identified, substitute it to find the
140.4 grams - 136.7 grams = 3.7 grams moles of the alcohol.

To find the Molar Mass of the alcohol usingC2H5OH Moles of alcohol = 0.08032337758 moles of alcohol

C 2 x 12.009 =24.018 After solving the moles of alcohol, substitute it to the

Then add the multiplied data
H 6 x 1.0078 =6.0468 formula of Heat Combustion
46.0638 grams/mol
O 1 x 15.999 =15.999
-28.8834 KJ
To find the change in temperature, subtract the ΔH0C=
0.08032337758 moles of alcohol
recorded Final Temperature T2 to the recorded Initial
Temperature T1: Then solve for the heat combustion of Ethanol

T2-T1= Change in Temperature ΔH0C= -359.5889624 KJ/mol

From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Note: Round off it to the nearest hundredths place

54 0C - 31 0C = 23 0C ΔH0C= -359.59 KJ/mol

To find the Experimental Result of the Heat To solve the percent error for this experiment, subtract
Combustion, divide the Enthalpy change during the Theoretical value to the Experimental value, then
combustion (ΔH) to the Mole of alcohol: divide it by the Theoretical value. In absolute value,
multiplied it to 100:
Enthalpy change during combustion (ΔH)
ΔH0C=
Moles of alcohol Theoretical – Experimental
Percent Error = X 100
Theoretical
To find the Enthalpy change during combustion,
multiply the mass of the water used, to the specific heat From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
of the water, and to the change in temperature:
-1367 KJ/mol – -359.59 KJ/mol
Q=mcΔT Percent Error = X 100
-1367 KJ/mol

From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
Q=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 23 0C)
-28883.4 J=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 23 0C)
Then convert it into KJ
-28.8834 KJ is the Enthalpy change during combustion
Note: it is negative since it is an exothermic process
To find the Mole of alcohol divide the mass of alcohol
burnt to the molar mass of the alcohol:
Note: The Theoretical Value is given and round off it to
the nearest Hundredths place
Percent Error = 73.69%
Propanol
To get the mass of the alcohol burnt, subtract the Mass
of capped alcohol lamp filled with alcohol before
burning M1 to the Mass of capped alcohol lamp filled
with alcohol after burning M2:
M1 – M2 = mass of the alcohol burnt

Mass of alcohol burnt

Moles of alcohol =
Molar mass of the alcohol
3.7 grams
Moles of alcohol =
46.0638 grams/mol
From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Note: The mass of alcohol burnt and the molar mass of
the alcohol is already identified, substitute it to find the
135.3 grams - 132.1 grams = 3.2 grams moles of the alcohol.

To find the Molar Mass of the alcohol usingC3H7OH Moles of alcohol = 0.05325487116 moles of alcohol

C 3 x 12.009 =36.027 After solving the moles of alcohol, substitute it to the

Then add the multiplied data
H 8 x 1.0078 =8.0624 formula of Heat Combustion
60.0884 grams/mol
O 1 x 15.999 =15.999
-25.116 KJ
To find the change in temperature, subtract the ΔH0C=
0.05325487116 moles of alcohol
recorded Final Temperature T2 to the recorded Initial
Temperature T1: Then solve for the heat combustion of Propanol

T2-T1= Change in Temperature ΔH0C= -471.6188295 KJ/mol

From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Note: Round off it to the nearest hundredths place

51 0C - 31 0C = 20 0C ΔH0C= -471.62 KJ/mol

To find the Experimental Result of the Heat To solve the percent error for this experiment, subtract
Combustion, divide the Enthalpy change during the Theoretical value to the Experimental value, then
combustion (ΔH) to the Mole of alcohol: divide it by the Theoretical value. In absolute value,
multiplied it to 100:
Enthalpy change during combustion (ΔH)
ΔH0C=
Moles of alcohol Theoretical – Experimental
Percent Error = X 100
Theoretical
To find the Enthalpy change during combustion,
multiply the mass of the water used, to the specific heat From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
of the water, and to the change in temperature:
-2021 KJ/mol – -471.62 KJ/mol
Q=mcΔT Percent Error = X 100
-2021 KJ/mol

From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
Q=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 20 0C)
-25116 J=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 20 0C)
Note: The Theoretical Value is given and round off it to
the nearest Hundredths place
Percent Error = 76.66%

Then convert it into KJ Butanol

-25.116 KJ is the Enthalpy change during combustion To get the mass of the alcohol burnt, subtract the Mass
of capped alcohol lamp filled with alcohol before
Note: it is negative since it is an exothermic process burning M1 to the Mass of capped alcohol lamp filled
with alcohol after burning M2:
To find the Mole of alcohol divide the mass of alcohol
burnt to the molar mass of the alcohol: M1 – M2 = mass of the alcohol burnt
Mass of
3.2alcohol
grams burnt
Moles
Moles of
of alcohol
alcohol == Molar mass grams/mol
60.0884 of the alcohol
From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Mass of alcohol burnt
Moles of alcohol =
Molar mass of the alcohol
110.5 grams – 109.6 grams = 0.9 grams
0.9 grams
To find the Molar Mass of the alcohol usingC4H9OH Moles of alcohol =
74.113 grams/mol

C 4 x 12.009 =48.03 Note: The mass of alcohol burnt and the molar mass of
6 the alcohol is already identified, substitute it to find the
H 10 x 1.0078 =10.07 Then add the multiplied data
moles of the alcohol.
8 74.113 grams/mol
O 1 x 15.999 =15.99
9 Moles of alcohol = 0.01214361853 moles of alcohol

To find the change in temperature, subtract the After solving the moles of alcohol, substitute it to the
recorded Final Temperature T2 to the recorded Initial formula of Heat Combustion
Temperature T1:
-23.8602 KJ
ΔH0C=
T2-T1= Change in Temperature 0.01214361853 moles of alcohol

From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation Then solve for the heat combustion of Butanol

50 0C - 31 0C = 19 0C ΔH0C= -1964.834447 KJ/mol

To find the Experimental Result of the Heat Note: Round off it to the nearest hundredths place
Combustion, divide the Enthalpy change during
combustion (ΔH) to the Mole of alcohol: ΔH0C= -1964.83 KJ/mol

Enthalpy change during combustion (ΔH) To solve the percent error for this experiment, subtract
ΔH0C= the Theoretical value to the Experimental value, then
Moles of alcohol
divide it by the Theoretical value. In absolute value,
To find the Enthalpy change during combustion, multiplied it to 100:
multiply the mass of the water used, to the specific heat
of the water, and to the change in temperature: Theoretical – Experimental
Percent Error = X 100
Theoretical
Q=mcΔT
From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
From the data of the table, substitute it to the equation
-2676 KJ/mol – -1964.83 KJ/mol
Percent Error = X 100
Q=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 19 0C) -2676 KJ/mol

-23860.2 J=(300grams)(4.186 J/grams 0C)( 19 0C) Note: The Theoretical Value is given Round off to the
nearest Hundredths place
Then convert it into KJ
-23.8602 KJ is the Enthalpy change during combustion Percent Error = 26.58%

Note: it is negative since it is an exothermic process VI. Discussion of Result

For this experiment, there are three alcohols used:
To find the Mole of alcohol divide the mass of alcohol Ethanol, Propanol, and Butanol. This alcohols differ
burnt to the molar mass of the alcohol: from the number of carbon atoms. For ethanol, it has 2
carbon atoms, for propanol, it has 3 carbon atoms, and
Butanol have 4 carbon atoms, in which it has the
highest carbon atoms among the other alcohols. For this
experiment, recording of the final temperature for each
set up started after the water reaches 50 0C and it
extinguish the flame. With this, ethanol reach the
highest final temperature with a total of 54 0C. Followed
by the propanol 51 0C, and lastly butanol with a
maximum temperature of above 50 0C. After the burning
process, each alcohol shows different consumption of
alcohol. From the experiment, ethanol consumes the
highest grams with a total of 3.7 grams. Followed by the
propanol that consumes 3.2 grams. And lastly, butanol
that consumes around 0.9 grams of alcohol.
For the experimental result for each set up, it shows
that butanol have the highest heat combustion among
the other alcohol with a total of -1964.83 KJ/mol.
Followed by propanol with an approximate of -471.62
KJ/mol, and for ethanol who have the least combustion
among the other alcohol that have almost -359.59
KJ/mol. Butanol have the highest heat combustion for
this experiment, because butanol have the highest
number of carbon atoms, followed by propanol, and
ethanol.
For the percent error of the experiment, propanol’s
experiment have the highest percent error with an
almost of 77%. It is closed to the experiment set up for
ethanol that has an approximate of 74%. And for
butanol, which is far from the other experiment’s
percent error, have a total of 26.58% error. The
experiment’s percent error signifies that the experiment
is failed. There are a lot of factors that cause this
experiment to reject.
One of the factors is the type of aluminum can used. For
each set up, they differ to the type of aluminum can
used. Because not all aluminum can have the same
amount of metal composition. There is a possibility that,
some aluminum can used are too thick that cause
difficulty in penetration of the heat. With this, it may
consume more alcohol. And possible that some
aluminum can uses too thin that cause for easy
penetration of heat. And it may consume less alcohol.
Because of this not uniform materials, it can hugely
affect the experiments.
Another factor is the improper calibration of the triple
beam balance. It can affect the data, since most of the
time it is used to record the changes in mass of the
samples. Possible that, one sample weigh more
accurate than to other. And this difference can affect
the result of the data.
VII. Conclusion
For this experiment entitled Heat of Combustion, it is
the amount of energy released when a substance is
burned in the presence of oxygen. It is often important
to understand that the energy produced in such a
reaction so to determine which fuel might be the most
efficient for a given purpose.
For this experiment, the researchers uses three
different kinds of alcohol, namely ethanol, propanol,
and butanol. Each alcohol differ to the number of
carbon atoms they have. Ethanol is an alcohol with a
two carbon chain C2H5OH. Propanol is also an alcohol
but with a three carbon chain C 3H7OH. And lastly
Butanol, it is also an alcohol but with a four carbon
chain C4H9OH. Also, each alcohols calculated the heat
combustion respectively, for ethanol, it has a total of
-359.59 KJ/mol. For propanol, it has a total of -471.62
KJ/mol. And for butanol, it has -1964.83 KJ/mol. This
increase of carbon atoms indicates the increase of heat
combustion of the alcohol. Because of this, it can be
concluded that the number of carbon atoms is directly
proportional to the heat combustion. Therefore, the
null hypothesis is accepted and the alternative
hypothesis is rejected stating that, as the number of
carbon atom increases, the heat combustion of each
alcohol also increases.
And for the experiment’s percent error, the researcher
uses 10% as the percent error for this experiment. The
result for each experiment is rejected, since the
ethanol’s percent error is 73.69%, for propanol it has
76.66%, and for butanol it has 26.58%. The cause for
this error is the not uniform of the materials used,
because these materials varies to the composition of
metals it have, also the thickness and thinness of the
materials used. Another is the, improper calibration of
the weighing materials, since most of the time it is used
to monitor the changes happened to the sample. With
this, the alternative hypothesis is accepted, and the null
hypothesis is rejected stating that the percent error for
this Heat Combustion experiment will be more than
10%.
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