Summary

The basic principle of calorimetry instrumentation is that energy produced during combustion is absorbed by water and thus increases its temperature. The overall energy required to break and make bonds (also known as enthalpy) can be measured using a calorimeter.

In this experiment you have used a simple calorimeter to compare the heat energy from burning various alcohols. The change in the temperature of water during combustion is measured using a thermometer and it is a direct measure of the alcohol energy content. The alcohol burner is weighted before and after the combustion to calculate the mass of alcohol burned to heat the water.

You calculated the experimental enthalpy changes in the combustion of an alcohol dividing the energy transferred to the water by the moles of alcohol burned in the reaction, and by comparing your experimental data from various alcohols you will be able to determine the efficiency of these fuels.

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