Science Investigation Essay, Research Paper

Science Investigation

AIM:

In this investigation we are going to find out which fuel

contains the most energy by burning each fuel and using its

heat to heat up water.

PREDICTION:

I predict that Ethanol will contain the most energy.

I can backup my answer by referring to my scientific

knowledge,

Ethanol will burn the quickest because it has more energy

stored within its bonds C-C-C .

METHOD:

In this experiment I will change the fuels, I will use

different fuels.

I will use 120ml of water to boil and I will keep that the

same all the way throughout the experiment. I will measure

the temperature of the water before I heat it and I will

use the same amount of fuel each time to keep the

experiment fair, I will also keep it a fair test by heating

the water for the same amount of time for each fuel.

Below is a list of all the equipment which I will need for

my experiment:

*Different types of fuels

*Tin lids

*Thermometer

*Water

*Tripod

The first thing which I will do is weigh the fuels and note

down the results, then I will place a tin lid underneath

the tripod and place the first fuel on the tin, then I will

measure 120ml of water and place it in a beaker on top of

the tripod and will take down the temperature of the water

and then I will burn the fuel and use it to heat up the

water for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes I will weigh the fuel

and take the temperature of the water, I will repeat this

process using all of the fuels and then I will use the

following formula to work out the Energy given out:

Energy = Mass (g) (0.120) X 4200 (SHC) X Temp Change.

To make the experiment safe I will wear goggles to protect

my eyes from any fuel spillage which could damage my eyes.

RESULTS:

I will show my result by drawing various different types of

graphs and tables.

Below are the Energy amounts in J which each fuel gave out:

Meta fuel 6552 J

Ethanol 12096 J

Propane 8064 J

Methanol 9072 J

Peanut 5049 J

To make my results more accurate and fair I measured each

fuel more than once.

>From looking at my results I have found that Ethanol gives

the most energy, which was around 12000 J and then it was

Methanol in secound place. From my results I can say that

my prediction was right and I can say that the reason why

Ethanol made the most energy is because it was the

strongest because it had more energy stored in its bonds.

If I had more time to improve my experiment I would repeat

each fuel several time and I would spend some time

comparing my results with my friends.