I just did an experiment on the enthalpy of combustion of different alcohols, and for my report, I've written that the condition of the wick is a source of random error, but i can't seem to explain it. I've written that it affects the rate of burning of the flame, and the heat produced is due to how much fuel.

Question

But my teacher has asked me why does the rate of the burn matter.

Could someone help please.

Answer 1

The rate shouldn't matter. However, the efficiency of combustion does matter. How much alcohol escapes combutstion when the flame is at different levels? I would wager it varies.