Planning and designing an experiment to test ethanol?

Question

how would you design an experiment to test if ethanol conducts electricity?

its supposed to have :

a theory

hypothesis

aim

apparatus

procedure

diagram(optional)

precautions

variables(controlled,manipulating,resp...

expected results

sources of errors/limitations

i just have problems with how to set up the experiment so that i have the variables. just try to do the best you can and help me before sundown!

thank you!

Answer 1

theory....electrons are required for electrical conductance, ehtanol has electrons

hyp...if a fluid is a conductor of electricty then ethanols should conduct

aim...to show the electrical conductivity of ethanol

apparatus...1000ml open beaker  a 12 battery a milliamp meter which is digital and capable of 9 digit output.. ethanol : aprroximatley 500ml wire leads to anode (copperstrip) and cathode(copperstrip) or you could use aluminum foil.

procedure: place all equip on level surface drop conducting strip into beaker ,pout the ethanol in slowly. connect the anode end to the milli-ampmeter and the other end of the milliampmeter to the battery..(since polarity is not imprtant either side +/- will work.. from the remaining post attach the wire leading to the conductiong strip. view results as an analog or digitlal output on meter.

diagram : draw battery with +/- posts draw lines leading from negative post to beaker draw beaker draw fluid level in beaker at one half, draw line from beaker to milli-ampmeter,draw circle with letter M inside, draw line from milli-ampmeter to opposite side of battery. (diagram completed)

precations: 1. fire ,ethanol is flammable 2. explosion from electrolosis of hydrogen. since ethanol is anhydrous water is a percentage of the fluid. therfore hydrogen could exist.

variables: 1. purity of ethanol 2. Distance between anode and cathode will increase the dielectric constant. 3. possible bad contacts or continuity through wiring mistakes.

exp results: ethanol is a thinner liquid than water but does contain as part of its normal existance water in a diluted form. The ehanol therfore should conduct electricity. Any electrolysis created will show as bubbles forming on the anode/cathode. If the two poles are in close proximity a very small amount of electric chage should be seen on the ampmeter.

sources for errors/limits: 1.  electrical voltage to low to register 2. time for transfer innsufficient 3. basic theory of conductivity flawed 4. value of ampeage incorrect 5. amperage not read due to operator error.

Its sundown ,heres a model for you...from the E...