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Methods

Measuring Samples

• Cut into pre-measured 1 g and 5 g

samples and weighed

Calorimetry Testing

• Calorimetry Constant is found using

1 g of Benzoic Acid

• The samples are connected to

ignition wires

• Bomb is pressurized
• Bomb is placed in the bucket

and lid is put on top

• Pressure in the bomb is released

Results

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Benzoic Acid

• Calorimeter Constant: 9.9 kJ/˚C
• Heat of Combustion: 26.4 kJ/g
• Mass: 1.099 g
• Temperature Raised: 2.96 ˚C

Heat Content

• Hickory: 17.7 kJ/g
• Oak: 18.7 kJ/g
• Poplar: 18.9 kJ/g
• Maple: 17.9 kJ/g
• Pine: 18.7 kJ/g
• Bamboo: 14.1 kJ/g

Hickory Samples

• Hickory Average (n=3): 17.7 ± 0.5 kJ/g

Introduction

Problem

• Wood burns very hot but the difference between 2 types can save someone’s life. This experiment set out the find the type of wood with the lowest heat content.

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Purpose

• The purpose of this experiment was to find the heat content (kJ/g) of different types of wood using a bomb calorimeter.

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Hypothesis

• If different types of wood are put into a bomb calorimeter, burned, and measured, then oak will produce the most heat because oak wood has a very high density so per gram it gives off more heat than the other types of wood.

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Review of Literature

Brown, T. L., LeMay, H. E., Bursten, B. E., Murphy, C. J., Woodward, P. M., & Stoltzfus, M. (2015). Chemistry: The central science (13th ed.). Pearson.

• Calorimetry is the measure of heat flow
• Heat capacity is the heat required to raise the temperature by 1 ˚C.
• Specific Heat is measure in kilojoules per gram (kJ/˚C)

Facts About Wood. (2020). University of Wisconsin. Retrieved November 5, 2023

• Wood is burned and used for fuel in the building industry
• Wood is very easy to store and move from place to place
• Wood is a renewable resource and it won’t fill up landfills

Valle, G. C. (n.d.). 19 Types of Wood Used in Home Construction. Your Own Architect. Retrieved September 22, 2023.

• Softwoods like pine are very popular for construction
• Hardwoods like oak are heavier and can warp from weather conditions

Discussion

Trends

• The average of all samples is 17.7 kJ/g
• Poplar is 6.91% above the average
• Bamboo is 20.16% below the average
• The other 4 samples range between 17.7-18.7 kJ/g

Statistical Analysis

• ANOVA and T-Tests were impossible
• 1.5 IQR test shows no outliers in the Hickory samples

Statistical Analysis (All Samples)

• A 1.5 IQR test showed bamboo as an outlier
• The average with bamboo is 17.7 kJ/g
• The average without bamboo is 18.4 kJ/g
• This is a difference of 4.03%

Conclusion

Problem

• Bamboo is a renewable resource and burns with less heat than the other types of wood
• For construction purposes, maple burns with less heat than other types and would be better in a fire

Purpose

• In this experiment, the heat content of six different types of wood was found using a bomb calorimeter

Evolution of Methods

• Hickory and bamboo samples were reduced to fit in the bomb

Future Research

More Types of Wood

• The addition of more groups would make for more variation in the results

More Trials

• More trials would allow for statistical analysis of the results