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Sugar

© Zany

I am sure that you all know what sugar is, especially if you have a sweet tooth. The Sugar Association tells us that sugar is a carbohydrate that occurs in all green plants, most abundantly in fruits and vegetables. Plants make sugar via the process of photosynthesis. The Sugar Cycle demonstrates a natural cycle whereby sugar is manufactured, broken down, manufactured, broken down...in a continuing process fuelled by the sun. The science of cooking hosts a picture of the sugar or the sucrose molecule, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ (or molecular model of sucrose) which is composed of two simpler sugars - fructose and glucose.

We all know that one can cook with sugar to make some delightful treats. But, what else can one do with sugar? Well, we can grow sugar crystals (or misri). Two methods are giving here - either evaporation or slow cooling. An interesting web site is Jinn's Crystal Glass (or movie glass or breakaway glass). Learn what sugar has in common with glass.

What do you think? Does water get denser when you add sugar or salt? Try the experiment and see.

Do you like sugar in your tea? Brew some tea and see if you really can make sugar sweeter.

Can you test for sugar?

How about using sugar (or catch the taste sensation) to explore your taste buds?

Can sugar move water?

Make a sugar cube burn or make a charcoal sausage .

The above experiments are fairly simple, fun and ones that you can do at home yourself. But, researchers are carrying out some significant research involving sugar. For instance, the researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a process to produce hydrogen fuel from sugar! Production of hydrogen in this matter is great since the source material is non-toxic, non-flammable and there is no problem transporting sugar. Researchers in India added sugar to plastics. The sugar makes the plastic more appealing to bacteria. This results in the plastic being broken down or biodegraded faster once it is in the landfill.

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