Energy Content of Fuels Investigation Lab Report

Fuels Investigation Aim: To find out which fuel gives out the most energy. Planning
We will be using 6 different fuels to heat up 100ml of water, and find out the changes of the temperature. We will measure the temperatures of the water before and after the experiment. We will burn heat the water for exactly 2 minutes, and check the changes in temperature. The change in temperature will allow us to work out the energy given off the fuel by using this formula: Mass of water x 4.2 (water’s specific heat capacity) x temperature change = energy transferred from the fuel to the water When the fuels are burnt, energy is given off. I will be calculating the energy given off using the formula above. The specific heat capacity is the energy needed (Joules) to heat 1 gram of water by one degrees Celsius.
Preliminary Experiment
To help me decide the vital elements of the experiment, I made a trial run using methanol to check if my chosen quantities and set up would work.
Results:
Height of can from burner: 5cm
Mass of burner at start = 204.47g. Mass of burner finish = 203.6g. Mass of fuel burned = 0.87g
Start temp = 19oC Finish temp = 23oC, Temp rise = 4oC
Following the pilot experiment I made some minor adjustments:
Height of can above wick down to 4cm to improve contact with flame and stir the water, because the rise in temperature is too little. Apparatus
 Glass Beaker
 100ml Water
 Spirit Burner
 Clamp Stand
 6 Fuels
 Thermometer
 Top-pan Balance
 Ruler Method

1. Set the experiment up as above
2. Fill the container with 100ml of tap water.
3. Measure the temperature of the water.
4. Weigh the burner before burning.
5. Heat the water for 2 minutes.
6. Record the temperature of the water after 2 minutes.
7. Weigh the burner again and record the change in weight.
8. Repeat the procedures above for the other fuels. Safety
Goggles will be used during the