Ethanol Activity 6
This is a hands-on laboratory activity in which students experiment with physical (heat), chemical (sulfuric acid), and enzymatic (Celluclast) treatments to break down cellulose from corn stalks and ferment it into ethanol. Students measure ethanol concentration with a Vernier ethanol sensor at each stage, compare treatment combinations, and write a lab report explaining which biomass treatment most effectively produces cellulosic ethanol.
At a glance
- Materials
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- Per student: Safety glasses
- Per student: Lab apron
- Per student: Nitrile or plastic gloves
- Per student: Pencil
- Per group of four: Permanent marker
- Per group of four: Electronic balance
- Per group of four: 4 50ml falcon tubes with caps
- Per group of four: Test tube rack
- Per group of four: Test tube tongs
- Per group of four: LabQuest2
- Per group of four: Vernier ethanol sensor
- Per group of four: Teflon tape
- Per class: Water bath
- Per class: Ground corn stalks
- Part One (per group): Scissors
- Part One (per group): Hot plate
- Part One (per group): Distilled water
- Part One (per group): 400ml beaker
- Part One (per group): 250ml beaker
- Part One (per group): 100ml graduated cylinder
- Part One (per group): Weigh dishes
- Part One (per group): Plastic spoons
- Part Two (per group): 2 1ml graduated pipets
- Part Two (per group): Celluclast enzyme
- Part Two (per group): 0.05M sulfuric acid solution
- Part Three (per group): Yeast
- Part Three (per group): Weigh dish
- Part Three (per group): Plastic spoon