154k views
3 votes
The formula for sugar is C12H22O11 C12H22O11. With this information and your observations observations, how many new substances do you think were formed when the sugar was heated?

User LeBleu
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

When sucrose (C12H22O11) is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition, which can result in various new substances. Exact identification requires chemical analysis or detailed observations, but commonly, caramelized sugar, carbon dioxide, water, and elemental carbon can be formed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular formula C12H22O11 represents sucrose, commonly known as table sugar. When sucrose is heated, thermal decomposition can result in the formation of new substances. Without further chemical analysis or observations, it's challenging to determine the exact number of new substances formed by the heating process. Generally, heating sugar can result in the production of substances such as caramelized sugar, which is a complex mixture of various compounds.

Heating sucrose can cause it to break down into simpler sugars and can also lead to the production of water and carbon dioxide through a process called combustion, if oxygen is present. The blackened substance left behind after heating sugar is largely elemental carbon. If the sucrose was heated in the presence of a strong oxidizer like potassium chlorate, a vigorous reaction can occur, producing covalent compounds like carbon dioxide and water, similar to the reaction: C12H22O11 (aq) + 8KCIO3(aq) → 12CO2(g) + 11H2O(l) + 8KCl(aq).

It's worth noting that without detailed experimental observations, we can only hypothesize about the potential products formed during the decomposition of sucrose. Observations such as color change, smell, and the state of the product can provide more clues on the substances formed.

User Harout
by
7.2k points