Final answer:
An ideal container to compare energy output from different fuels in an experiment is a bomb calorimeter, specifically an 'Atwater' bomb calorimeter for precise measurements, or a polystyrene cup calorimeter for simpler educational demonstrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare the amount of energy given out by different fuels using an apparatus, an ideal material for the container would be one that can withstand high temperatures and provide accurate measurements. A good option is a bomb calorimeter, specifically the 'Atwater' bomb calorimeter. This device consists of a heavy steel container with a cover tightly secured by a strong screw-collar, often having a platinum or gold plated copper lining. The sample is ignited in the presence of oxygen, and the heat produced is measured by the change in temperature of the surrounding water. For simpler educational purposes, students might use a polystyrene cup calorimeter, which allows more heat exchange with the environment but is less accurate. For precise and professional measurements, the steel bomb calorimeter submerged in water (often referred to as a bomb calorimeter) is preferred as it operates at constant volume and provides accurate measurements of energy through the temperature increase of the water bath surrounding the steel container.