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Butanol is a liquid fuel - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 1
Butanol is a liquid fuel. A student investigated the mass of butanol needed to increase the temperature of 100 cm³ of water by 1 °C. The student used the following... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Butanol is a liquid fuel - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2023 - Paper 2
Step 1
(a) Calculate the mass of butanol used.
Answer
To calculate the mass of butanol used, we first find the difference in mass of the spirit burner before and after the experiment:
Mass before = 134.67 g Mass after = 133.59 g
The mass of butanol used is:
Considering the temperature increase of 30 °C for the 100 cm³ of water, we can then express the mass per degree.
Mass of butanol required to raise 100 cm³ of water by 1 °C is:
rac{1.08 ext{ g}}{30} = 0.036 ext{ g/°C}
Step 2
(b) Suggest how the experiment could be improved.
Answer
To improve the experiment, the following suggestions could be considered:
- Distance from beaker to spirit burner: Minimize the distance to reduce heat loss.
- Size of wick: Using a larger wick could improve the rate of combustion and heat transfer.
- Volume of water: Ensure that the water volume is consistent for reproducibility of results.
- Temperature increase of water: Use a more sensitive thermometer to accurately measure the temperature change.
Step 3
(c) Describe how to improve the heating arrangement.
Answer
To enhance the heating arrangement, consider the following:
- Move beaker closer to the spirit burner: This reduces heat loss during the experiment.
- Use a metal (calorimeter) beaker: Metal conducts heat better than glass, increasing efficiency.
- Use draft shields: To minimize the effects of air currents on combustion.
- Insulate the beaker: Insulation will help retain heat within the beaker, improving temperature stability.
Avoid using a polystyrene beaker, as it may not withstand high temperatures.