Heat energy from fules

• Alkanes and alcohols


  Used as fuels as during combustion they release a lot of heat energy
• Different fuels release different quantities of heat energy
• Heat Energy Calculation


  1. Take simple measurements

  2. Use calculation
• Specific Heat Capacity of water

  418 J/kg°C
• Need volume of water to work out temperature mass of heated water (in kilograms - must divide cm³ by 1000)
• AT change in water temp
• Copper Can


  • Better conductor of heat than glass or aluminium
  • Does not touch the bottom as it would only measure the heat of the combustion, not the water
• Experiment to measure heat energy from fuels

  1. Record starting temperature of water

  2. Heat water for 1 minute

  3. Record maximum temperature

  4. Calculate heat energy released

  5. Repeat 2 more times