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THERMAL ENERGY OF PARAFFIN WAX IPC – Mr. Coburn Introduction Paraffin wax is a hydrocarbon compound (C20H42) that contains chemical energy in the bonds between the atoms of carbon and hydrogen. Your task will be to measure the amount of energy released during combustion (a chemical reaction that releases the stored chemical energy) of paraffin, and to quantify the amount of energy per gram of the wax. Thermal Energy is the total amount of internal energy in a substance. It is dependent on the type of matter (particles), quantity of particles (mass) and the average kinetic energy of the particles (temperature). The relationship between these factors and thermal energy is expressed in the following formula. Q = c m ∆T Where; Q = thermal energy (calories) c = specific heat capacity* (cal/g oC) m = mass (grams) ∆T = change in temperature (oC) * The specific heat capacity of water is 1 cal. g oC Problem Definition How much thermal energy is contained in one gram of paraffin wax? Material List Beaker or Flask Water Tongs Paraffin Wax Candle Graduated Cylinder Timing Device Thermometer Procedure WARNING: Hot glassware does not appear hot. Use tongs, eye protection and caution!! Step 1 – Place a known quantity of water into a flask and obtain its initial temperature. Step 2 – Determine the initial mass of the candle Step 3 – Ignite the candle and heat the water in the flask for five (5) minutes. Step 4 – Record the change in temperature ( ΔT ). Step 5 – Determine the final mass of the candle. Observations Data Show the calculations of the amount of thermal energy gained by the water for each trial. Assume that the Law of Conservation of Energy applies, and therefore, this quantity of energy is equal to the chemical energy released by the wax. Recall that the specific heat capacity for water is 1 cal./g oC. Q = c m ∆T Conclusions Provide the value of energy in one (1) gram of paraffin wax by dividing the number of calories gained by the water by the mass of the candle used.