Sugar is fun to eat, but it's also fun to play with! In the following activities, you'll see how sugar reacts under differing circumstances. From explosions to staining and transformation, sugar really knows how to put on a show. As an added bonus: you can even use some of that leftover Halloween candy (if you have any...) in a task or two.
Keep reading to find out the different ways sugar changes with some heat, water and time.
1. Sugar rocket
Did you know that sugar can burn as hot as kerosene? In this experiment, you'll see how the combination of sugar and oxygen produce a stunning flame (watch closely, it's purple). Sugar burns (and even explodes) because it has a surface area/volume ratio.
Did you know that sugar can burn as hot as kerosene? In this experiment, you'll see how the combination of sugar and oxygen produce a stunning flame (watch closely, it's purple). Sugar burns (and even explodes) because it has a surface area/volume ratio.
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2. Sugar Rainbow
This rainbow trick works because each glass of colored sugar water has a different amount of sugar. This changes the density the water in each glass. The colors don't mix because each sugar-water mixture varies in weight, so lighter density mixtures float.
This rainbow trick works because each glass of colored sugar water has a different amount of sugar. This changes the density the water in each glass. The colors don't mix because each sugar-water mixture varies in weight, so lighter density mixtures float.
3. Rock candy (h/t Science Notes)
You'll need a little patience for this science trick, but the result is pretty (and tasty). This works because as the water in the jar begins to evaporate, sugar molecules cling to the nearest object (in this case a skewer or string).
You'll need a little patience for this science trick, but the result is pretty (and tasty). This works because as the water in the jar begins to evaporate, sugar molecules cling to the nearest object (in this case a skewer or string).
4. Sugar cube absorption (h/t Science Sparks)
In this test, you'll see how quickly sugar absorbs the liquid (this is one reason sugar works so well in baking). Different types of barriers are more or less porous, which helps block the flow of water to the sugar, while others are a little more flimsy. This allows the liquid to pass through into the other cubes.
In this test, you'll see how quickly sugar absorbs the liquid (this is one reason sugar works so well in baking). Different types of barriers are more or less porous, which helps block the flow of water to the sugar, while others are a little more flimsy. This allows the liquid to pass through into the other cubes.
5. Sugar and eggs (h/t Feels Like Home)
If you've ever wondered whether your dentist is lying about sugar and your teeth, this experiment will show you he's not. The simple test uses the sugar (and other ingredients) inside your favorite drinks on eggshells (which are made of calcium, like your teeth.) The sugary drinks start breaking down the shells because of the high acidity. Most of the buildup can be washed away (or brushed away) quickly.
If you've ever wondered whether your dentist is lying about sugar and your teeth, this experiment will show you he's not. The simple test uses the sugar (and other ingredients) inside your favorite drinks on eggshells (which are made of calcium, like your teeth.) The sugary drinks start breaking down the shells because of the high acidity. Most of the buildup can be washed away (or brushed away) quickly.
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