Chemistry RBA - Term II: Enthalpy of Combustion of Primary Alcohols

~Siddharth Singh
Research Question: How does the difference in the chain length of the first five members of
the alcohol series (Cn H2n+1 OH) affect the enthalpy of combustion (kJmol−1 ) of the each
alcohol, given that the change in temperature for each remains constant.

1 Introduction

In this investigation we were expected to find the change in the enthalpy of combustion of
different alcohols of increasing carbon chain lengths, as a part of our studies in Energetics.
When we were first presented with this task, it seemed like an extremely daunting process,
having perform multiple tedious steps with almost no guidance from our professor. However
we split up the class into 5 groups of 2 and 3 and each handled a different alcohol, thereby
reducing the overall workload for each student. Each group made to come up with its own
setup and procedure which allowed for a great deal of exploration and individual learning.
Overall, it was an incredibly enriching experience and helped me grow as a chemist in the
field of chemistry.

2 Background Information

Amongst organic molecules, alcohols are those that contain the hydroxyl group (-OH), and
they form a homologous series with a general formula of Cn H2n+1 OH. Alcohols can be
grouped into 3 categories - primary, secondary and tertiary, however for this investigation
we will only be looking at the first five alcohols of the primary category. In primary alcohols,
the carbon atom attached to the -OH functional group is only attached to one alkyl group
(methanol is an exception to this as it has no other alkyl groups in its chain other than the
bonding carbon atom). The primary alcohols we will be looking at are methanol (1 carbon
atom), ethanol (2 carbon atoms), propan-1-ol (3 carbon atoms), butan-1-ol (4 carbon atoms)
and pentan-1-ol (5 carbon atoms). The more the number of carbon atoms, the greater the
structure complexity, and the chemical and physical properties of each will differ.
Alcohols have a higher boiling point compared to other organic substances as it has stronger
inter-molecular forces of attraction between -OH functional groups due to hydrogen bond-
ing, which forms between the hydrogen of one molecule and the lone pair of the oxygen of
another molecule. The longer the carbon chain present in a molecule, the higher its boiling
point, due to its increased surface area for london dispersion forces and hydrogen bonding.
The longer the chain chain in an alcohol, the greater is its boiling point as the number of
carbon atoms increases and so the increase in Van Der Walls’ forces means more energy is

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 (a) Methanol (b) Ethanol (c) Propan-1-ol

(d) Butan-1-ol (e) Pentan-1-ol

Figure 1: Five alcohols of the primary category

required to break these inter-molecular forces.

Combustion of alcohol is extremely exothermic in nature and produces a lot of energy. Alco-
hols, in excess oxygen, burn to give carbon dioxide and water. For example-

C2 H5 OH + 3 O2 −−→ 2 CO2 ↑ + 3 H2 O

As a result of the complete combustion of alcohol, only water and carbon dioxide are given
out as the products, hence they make good fuels that burn cleanly, quickly and give out a lot
of energy. They are readily available and easily stored and so they are good as fuels.
The standard molar enthalpy of combustion (∆HC−◦ ), is the enthalpy change when one mole
of a substance is burned in excess oxygen under standard conditions with the reactants and
products in their standard states. Enthalpy changes are all measured under standard con-
ditions in which the reactants and products are in their standard states at 100kP a and 298K
(25◦ C). It is measured in kJmol−1 .
Heat is a measure of the combined energy of every particle in the substance. Enthalpy is
the heat content stored in a chemical system, which cannot be measured directly. Therefore,
only the change in enthalpy (∆H) can be calculated when a chemical reaction takes place
and there is an exchange of heat energy with the surrounding. Enthalpy change is calculated
using the formula ∆H = Hproducts − Hreactants .
Exothermic reactions releases energy, leading to an increase in the temperature of the sur-
roundings. The combustion of alcohols is an exothermic reaction.∆H is always negative for
exothermic reactions because enthalpy of the product is always lower than the reactant. An
exothermic reaction releases energy to the surroundings, therefore causing the temperature
of the surrounding to increase. Therefore, the enthalpy change can be measured by the heat
transferred to the surrounding- in this case by burning a known mass of a substance and
using heat released to raise the temperature of a known mass of water.

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3 Methodology

3.1 Variables

Independent Variable: The number carbon atoms in the primary alcohol. Five different alco-
hols were tested, with increasing number of carbon atoms (methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol,
butan-1-ol and pentan-1-ol). By comparing data across these 5 compunds and their respec-
tive changes in Enthalpy of Combustion, a trend can be formulated between the Enthalpy of
Combustion of an alcohol and the number of carbon atoms in it’s chain.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is the decrease in the mass of the alcohol.
Although enthalpy cannot be measured directly, the change in mass of alcohol along with the
change in temperature, mass and specific heat capacity of water can be used to calculate
the enthalpy change in combustion of the alcohol.
Controlled Variables:

Controlled Variable Reason for Controlling How it was controlled

Alcohol Isomer Isomers of the same al-
cohol can tend have a
great difference in their
enthalpies of combustion.
For example Propan-
1-ol has a literature
HC−◦ of -2021.0kJmol−1 ,
while Propan-2-ol is
−1
-2005.8kJmol .
Mass of water To ensure that the amount
of energy required to raise
the temperature of water
by 1◦ C remains constant
for all the alcohols
Change in temperature of To ensure that the amount
water of energy transfered to the
water remained constant
for all the alcohols.
Purity of water To ensure that impurities
don’t interfere with the final
results, causing inaccura-
cies.
Only primary alcohols, with
the -OH functional group
attached to the first Carbon
atom were used.
A constant water mass of
approximately 200g was
used for every alcohol.
The alcohol, in a burner,
was used to heat a beaker
of water till the change in
temperature was approxi-
mately 25◦ C.
Distilled water of a known
specific heat capacity was
used.

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 Energy system To ensure that there was
no leakage in the closed
system, and no energy
would escape and give a
faulty overall reading.
A heat shield was setup
around the burner and
beaker setup and a non
conducting lid was placed
on top of the beaker to pre-
vent further heat loss. Ex-
clusive to our setup, we
also covered the beaker
full of water with foam to
minimize heat loss.

Table 1: List of Controlled Variables

3.2 Apparatus

• 200g of Distilled Water

• Beaker

• Spirit burner

• Alcohols (Methanol, Ethanol, Propan-1-ol, Butan-1-ol, Pentan-1-ol)

• Digital Balance (±0.01g)

• Heat Shield

• Non-conductive lid

• Tripod Stand

• Wire gauze

• Digital thermometer (±0.1◦ C)

• Heat insulating Foam

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3.3 Setup

While every setup for each alcohol slightly

varied when it came to insulation of heat,
the overall setup with the beaker, stand
and burner remained the same, with the
beaker being setup on the stand and
the burner propped up underneath it, el-
evated on a smaller beaker to reduce
the distance between the flame and the
base of the beaker. For the unique setup
our team implemented, we surrounded
burner setup with 3 heat shields, covered
the beaker with a lid and surrounded it
with foam to minimize heat loss.
Figure 2: Setup for Pentan-1-ol

3.4 Procedure

1. Measure out 200 ± 0.01g of distilled water, by pouring the water into a beaker while
measuring the increase in weight on a digital balance. To ease the process, add water
generously at the start till it reaches about 180g and then proceed to add dropwise till
200g.
2. Add methanol to a spirit burner and weigh the total mass on the digital balance, take this
value down as the initial mass before burning.
3. Place the wire gauze on the tripod stand and then the beaker with distilled water on top.
Place the spirit burner below and surround the system with a metal heat shield and place
the non conductive lid on top of the beaker to prevent heat loss.
4. Dip the thermometer probe into the water in the beaker through the hole in the lid and
keep it there till the temperature stabilizes. Take this as the initial temperature before
heating.
5. Light the spirit burner with the beaker on top and wait till the temperature change in the
water reaches about 25◦ C and then take down this reading as the final temperature after
heating.
6. Wait for the system to cool down and then measure the weight of the spirit burner on the
digital balance and take this down as the final mass after burning.
7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 for every remaining alcohol.

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3.5 Risk Assessment

While this experiment was relatively safe, some precautions were taken while handling the hot
apparatus. Gloves were worn to prevent any scalding of the skin by warm water. Suffiecient
eye protection was worn when lighting the spirit burner and a pair of tongs was used to trans-
fer the beaker to the digital balance post heating. Hence all possible risks were effectively
handled.

3.6 Environment and Ethics

Environmentally, there may not be much impact, as this experiment does not produce any
corrosive fumes or chemicals. However some amount of Carbon Dioxide is produced in
process of carrying out the investigation as well as minor amounts of Carbon Monoxide. But
the amount produced is minimal in this investigation and will not have much ill effect on the
environment. None of the remaining alcohol was wasted and everything was recycled for
future experimentation. Beyond that there are not too many environmental concerns which
can be addressed. Ethically however there are some concerns. It is unknown whether this
investigation is violating any patents or intellectual rights over using a certain procedure or
alcohol for experimental purposes. However, since it is only a minor investigation not being
used for commercial purposes, it does not pose a problem.

4 Hypothesis

Based on previously knowledge of organic compounds and the effect of bond lengths on
energy requirements for making and breaking of bonds, a hypothesis can be made that as
the number of carbon atoms increase in the carbon chain of an alcohol, the energy required
per mole to combust will increase (or become more negative since combustion of alcohols is
exothermic in nature).

5 Data collection and Observations

5.1 Observations

While it was hoped that the heat within the system would be contained, the observations
made proved otherwise. The air surrounding the beaker of water was warm alluding to the
fact that heat had escaped from the insulating foam, however this well contained within the
heat shield itself as could be seen by the air around shield not being warm, while the shield
itself was warm to touch. However a maximum loss in heat was observed from the top of the
system which was not covered in any form. This was seen due to the hot air rising from the

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top.
A few other observations were also made which were purely qualitative in nature-

• The flame of the spirit burner was yellow on the burning of the pentan-1-ol.

• During the heating of the water, a distinct irritable odour was observed.

• The bottom of both the wire gauze and asbestos layer were charred black.

• After the experiment was completed, the bottom of the beaker holding the water was
observed to have a thin black powdery coating.

5.2 Raw Data

Alcohol Initial Mass (g) Final Mass (g) Initial Temp. (◦ C) Final Temp. (◦ C)
(±0.01g) (±0.01g) (±0.1◦ C) (±0.1◦ C)
Methanol (CH3 OH) 189.69 122.41 25.8 51.3
Ethanol (C2 H5 OH) 137.50 132.17 24.1 49.4
Propan-1-ol (C3 H7 OH) 160.64 156.08 24.3 49.3
Butan-1-ol (C4 H9 OH) 140.25 137.42 25.0 50.0
Pentan-1-ol (C5 H11 OH) 219.08 215.58 24.6 50.2

Table 2: Raw Data collected for the alcohols

6 Data Processing

Change in Mass of Alcohol

The change in mass of alcohol (∆m) can be calculated by subtracting the initial mass (mi )
from the final mass (mf ).
Sample Calculations:
Let us take the initial and final masses for the Methanol dataset which are 189.69 ± 0.01g(mi )
and 122.41 ± 0.01g(mf )-

∆m = mf − mi
= 122.41 − 189.69
= −67.28g
(The negative sign indicates that there was a decrease in the mass of the burner with alcohol,
mass was destroyed in the process.)
Error Propagation for Change in Mass of Alcohol:
The digital balance used had an uncertainty of ±0.01g. In order to carry out calculations, this

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uncertainty must be propagated, which can be done using the formula below-

δ∆m = δm1 + δm2

= 0.01 + 0.01
= ±0.02g
Hence the final calculated value for the decrease in mass of Methanol after burning is 67.28 ±
0.02g.
This can subsequently used to generate the remaining values-

Alcohol Initial Mass (g) Final Mass (g) Change in Mass (g)
(±0.01g) (±0.01g) (±0.02g)
Methanol (CH3 OH) 189.69 122.41 67.28
Ethanol (C2 H5 OH) 137.5 132.17 5.33
Propan-1-ol (C3 H7 OH) 160.64 156.08 4.56
Butan-1-ol (C4 H9 OH) 140.25 137.42 2.83
Pentan-1-ol (C5 H11 OH) 219.08 215.58 3.50

Table 3: Change in Masses of Alcohols

Change in Temperature of Water:

The change in temperature of water (∆T ) can be calculated by subtracting the initial temper-
ature (Ti ) from the final temperature (Tf ).
Sample Calculations:
Let us take the initial and final masses for the Methanol dataset which are 25.8 ± 0.1◦ C(Ti )
and 51.3 ± 0.1◦ C(Ti )-

∆T = Tf − Ti
= 51.3 − 25.8
= 25.5◦ C

Error Propagation for the Change in Temperature:

The thermometer used had an uncertainty of ±0.1◦ C. In order to carry out calculations, this
uncertainty must be propagated, which can be done using the formula below-

δ ∆T = δTi + δTf
= 0.1 + 0.1
= ±0.2◦ C
Hence the final calculated values for the Change in Temperature of water in the Methanol
dataset is 25.5 ± 0.2◦ C.
This can subsequently used to generate the remaining values-

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 Alcohol Initial Temp. (◦ C) Final Temp. (◦ C) Change in Temp.
◦ ◦
(±0.1 C) (±0.1 C) (◦ C) (±0.2◦ C)
Methanol (CH3 OH) 25.8 51.3 25.5
Ethanol (C2 H5 OH) 24.1 49.4 25.3
Propan-1-ol (C3 H7 OH) 24.3 49.3 25.0
Butan-1-ol (C4 H9 OH) 25.0 50.0 25.0
Pentan-1-ol (C5 H11 OH) 24.6 50.2 25.6

Table 4: Change in Temperatures of Water

Enthalpy of Combustion of alcohols:

In order to find the enthalpy of combustion of an alcohol, the heat energy transferred to the
water by the burning of said alcohol in the spirit lamp must be calculated. This can be done
using the formula-
Q = mw × cw × ∆T
where,
Q = Enthalpy change of the mass of water (J)
mw = Mass of water taken (g)
cw = Specific heat capacity of water (Jg −1◦ C −1 )
∆T = Change in Temperature of water (◦ C)
Sample Calculations:
Let us find the value for the heat energy transferred to the water for the Methanol dataset,
where the assumed mass of water found using the digital balance is 200.00 ± 0.01g, Spe-
cific heat capacity of water is 4.18Jg −1◦ C −1 and the Change in Temperature of water is
25.5 ± 0.2◦ C-

Q = mw × cw × ∆T
= 200.00 × 4.18 × 25.5
= 21318
= 21.3kJ
In order to calculate the enthalpy change of combustion, the value for the heat transferred
to the water must be divided by the number of moles of the alcohol (n) used in the burning
process. The number of moles can be calculated using-
M ass of alcohol burnt (∆m)
n=
Mr of alcohol
And so the formula for the enthalpy change of combustion can be written as-
Q × Mr
∆HC−◦ =
∆m

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Sample Calculations:
Let’s find the Enthalpy change of combustion of Methanol using the values from its dataset,
where the mass of methanol burnt is 67.28 ± 0.02g, Relative molecular mass is 32.04 and
Energy transferred to water is 21318J-
Q × Mr
∆HC−◦ =
∆m
21318 × 32.04
=
67.28
= 10152.0321
= 10.15kJmol−1
Error Propagation for the Enthalpy change of combustion of alcohols:
The uncertainty in every value must be propogated in order to arrive at an accurate value
which can be found using-
δ∆HC−◦ δmw δ∆T δ∆m
−
◦
= + +
∆HC mw ∆T ∆m
−
◦
δ∆HC 0.01 0.2 0.02
= + +
10152.0321  200.00 25.5 67.28 
0.01 0.2 0.02
δ∆HC−◦ = + + × 10152.0321
200.00 25.5 67.28
= 83.14922823
= ±0.08kJmol−1
Hence the final calculated value of the Enthalpy change of Combustion of Methanol is −10.15±
0.08kJmol−1 . The value of the enthalpy of combustion is negative as the reaction is exother-
mic in nature, as was explained in the Background Information.
Hence in this manner, the Enthalpy change of Combustion of the remaining alcohols can be
found-

Alcohol Change in Tem- Energy trans- Change in Mass Relative Molec- Enthalpy
◦
perature ( C) ferred to water (g) (±0.02g) ular Mass (Mr ) Change of
(±0.2◦ C) (kJ) Combustion
(kJmol−1 )
Methanol 25.5 21.31 67.28 32.04 -10.15±0.08
Ethanol 25.3 21.15 5.33 46.07 -182.82±2.14
Propan-1-ol 25.0 20.90 4.56 60.10 -275.46±3.43
Butan-1-ol 25.0 20.90 2.83 74.13 -547.46±8.28
Pentan-1-ol 25.6 21.40 3.50 88.16 -539.08±7.42

Table 5: Enthalpy Change of Combustion of Primary Alcohols

When these values are graphed we get the following trend-

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 As can be seen in the above graphed data, there is a general decreasing trend where the
Enthalpy change of Combustion, grows more negative as the carbon atoms in the alcohol
increase. This data agrees with the earlier made hypothesis as well and so this experiment
can be considered a success in that regard. However, the experimental data obtained does
not perfectly fit this trend as can be seen by R2 = 0.9362.

7 Conclusion

The aim of this investigation was to find out the effect an increasing number of carbon atoms
in primary alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and pentan-1-ol) affected
their enthalpy change of combustion. The results indicated that as the number of carbon
atoms in the chain increase, the enthalpy of hydration becomes more negative. This is evi-
dent by the data following this general trend with an exception of pentan-1-ol, whose experi-
mental value for ∆HC−◦ was less than that of butan-1-ol.
Total percentage error for each compound was calculated using the formula below-

|experimental value − literature value|

P ercentage error = × 100
literature value

Alcohol Literature values of Experimental values Percentage error (%)

∆HC−
◦
(kJmol−1 ) of ∆HC−
◦
(kJmol−1 )
Methanol -726.0 -10.15±0.08 98.60
Ethanol -1367.3 -182.82±2.14 86.63
Propan-1-ol -2021.0 -275.46±3.43 86.37
Butan-1-ol -2675.6 -547.46±8.28 79.54
Pentan-1-ol -3328.7 -539.08±7.42 83.81

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 As can be seen, percentage error
for every value is incredibly high and
so there was definitely a flaw in the
setup and procedure. In this regard,
as far as data collection was con-
cerned, the experiment was a mas-
sive failure. However when it comes
to the general trend, the experimen-
tal values obtained depict a similar
downward trend as the literature val-
ues, which can be seen in the chart.

8 Evaluation

While the trend obtained was similar to that of the literature values, there was definitely a
flaw when it came to the data obtained. One of the reasons this could have taken place is
excessive heat loss, jeopardising the accuracy of the results. During the experiment, there
were many factors that caused heat to be lost from the system such as instrumental and hu-
man inaccuracies as well as unavoidable heat loss via conduction, convection and radiation.
This could have been better handled by placing the heat shield in a more strategic position,
or using more shields. However loss by heat was inevitable in some cases like the slot in the
beaker lid to put the thermometer in and the heat lost when opening and closing the system.
Also the spirit burner did not solely heat the beaker of water, heating the surroundings as
well, which is the major source of error.
Other factors could also have been a reason for such a massive error like incomplete com-
bustion of the alcohol. This can be seen by the powdery black carbon deposition on the
bottom of the beaker. This indicates that the reaction instead of simply giving CO2 , it gave
CO and C. This theory is further backed by the slight choking feeling felt when inhaling the
gas evolved during the combustion process. This could have been easily dealt with by allow-
ing a constant stream of fresh oxygen to reach the flame, and hence this was another failure
in the setup of the experiment.
Another reason for the great percentage error could be the loss of alcohol when closing the
lid after burning. This delay in closing the lid could have led to some alcohol evaporating
showing a increased change in weight than what should have been observed.
The mass of water taken in every experiment could have also been varying and not a con-

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stant 200g as assumed. This could have also led some significant errors in the result.
Extension:
The experiment could be extended by finding the effect of a change in the structural isomer of
the same alcohol on the enthalpy of combustion of the same. When paired with data from this
investigation, a truly comprehensive study of alcohols and their enthalpies can be processed
through 3 dimensional graphing giving us an estimation for the most efficient alcohol source.

9 Bibliography

’Organic Compounds: Physical and Thermochemical Data’ UC Santa Barbara, Accessed

March 15, 2020 http://www2.ucdsb.on.ca/tiss/stretton/database/organic_thermo.html
’BBC (2016)’ Accessed March 13, 2020 http://www.bbc.co.uk/educa"on/guides/z8p72hv/revision/3
’Oxford Course Companion for IB Chemistry’ Sergey Bylikin, 2014
’Cambridge international AS and A level Chemistry Coursebook’ Ryan L. and Norris R, Ac-
cessed March 16, 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2gccdm/revision/6

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