Investigate whether firelighter, wood, ethanol, paraffin or wax contains the most energy :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Investigate whether firelighter, wood, ethanol, paraffin or wax contains the most energyEnergy In Different FuelsAim I am going to check up on which furnishs contain the most energybetween firelighter, wood, ethanol, paraffin and wax.Prediction I think that the fuel that contains the most energy is the cardinal that produces the highest rise in temperature of the wet. I knowthis because Heat + fuel + oxygen = CO2 + H20 + energy.The energy realised is heat and light energy, which is dependent onthe chemical potential energy in the fuel. The greater the chemicalpotential energy the more energy is transferred as heat and light thegreater the rise in temperature.And because of the fire triangletri2.gif (22406 bytes) toolListStop watch ThermometerSplint ClampMatches Boiling tubeHeat proof matFuelsFirelighter,Wood,Ethanol,Paraffin,Wax.Method (Preliminary test) first of totally, I will work sure I take allof the safety precautions, I.e. tie covert long hair, use goggles andmake sure t he room is well ventilated. secondly I will set out theapparatus and get all the equipment from the list (shown on theprevious page). Using the measuring cylinder, I will contrive 20cm3 ofdistilled water into a boiling tube, and take the startingtemperature. In order to make this a fair test I will burn the fuelfor one minute only, use 20cm3 of water and make sure the tip of thefuels flame is under the boiling tube. After the minute is up, I willblow out the flame or place the lid of the fuel over it, (cutting offthe oxygen). I will then take the finial temperature. consequently I willrepeat the experiment for the other four fuels, in order to establishwhich two fuels produced the highest rise in temperature of the water.Method - ComparisonI will then compare these two fuels by heating them until they get toa certain temperature noting down the time every time the temperatureincreases by 10C in order to form a scatter graph using line of bestfit.I will use step one and most of st ep two from the preliminary test(first of all, I will make sure I take all of the safety precautions,I.e. tie back long hair, use goggles and make sure the room is wellventilated. Secondly I will set out the apparatus and get all theequipment from the list (shown on the previous page). Using themeasuring cylinder, I will put 20cm3 of distilled water into a boilingtube,) I then heat the water using the first fuel until it rises to100C, noting the time every 10C starting from 20C.