Combustion of alkanols (1 Viewer)

[barbernator]

If the experiment is burning an alkanol in a spirit burner and measuring the change in temperature that results in a certain mass of water, is it best to use a flask/container with a higher or lower specific heat capacity and why? also are there any other suggestions to maximise efficiency of energy transfer within the system?

 

[_deloso]

If the experiment is burning an alkanol in a spirit burner and measuring the change in temperature that results in a certain mass of water, is it best to use a flask/container with a higher or lower specific heat capacity and why? also are there any other suggestions to maximise efficiency of energy transfer within the system?

lower. uses less energy from the alkanol thus more effecient as more heat is transferred to the water, not the container.

and efficiency: use copper container- lowest possible specific heat capacity metal that can be used, place flame just below the container- no space, place a lid on the container to prevent heat loss, wipe off bottom of container that can possibly insulate it, use a bong calorimeter for the most efficient way of doing this experiment

 

[barbernator]

lower. uses less energy from the alkanol thus more effecient as more heat is transferred to the water, not the container.

and efficiency: use copper container- lowest possible specific heat capacity metal that can be used, place flame just below the container- no space, place a lid on the container to prevent heat loss, wipe off bottom of container that can possibly insulate it, use a bong calorimeter for the most efficient way of doing this experiment

Thanks! , what is a "bong calorimeter"? do u mean a bomb calorimeter?

 

[_deloso]

Thanks! , what is a "bong calorimeter"? do u mean a bomb calorimeter?

lol yeah my bad... hahaha bong. lol yeah I meant bomb

 

[barbernator]

lol yeah my bad... hahaha bong. lol yeah I meant bomb

someones been off school for too long doing pot.....