Gummy Bear Lab Report
So long, Gummy Bears!
[pic]
This demonstration illustrates the vast amount of energy which is available from the oxidation of carbohydrates, such as sugar. An excess of oxygen, generated by the decomposition of potassium chlorate, will react with the glucose in a gummy bear, releasing a large amount of energy quickly and dramatically.
Introduction:
Sugar is a fuel that we use for energy. We can also use it to fuel a chemical reaction. In this reaction, the sugar from the gummy bear reacts with the oxygen produced from the decomposition of potassium chlorate. Purple sparks form, which are a result of the potassium ion (it has nothing to do with the colour of gummy bear you use).
As we heat the Potassium Chlorate it starts to …show more content…
Observe the products of this reaction. Did the reaction go to completion, forming only CO2 and H2O? What would the products include if the combustion was incomplete?
Summary: When heated, potassium chlorate decomposes, producing sufficient oxygen to ignite the sugar in the gummy bear. Since the oxidation of the sugar is very exothermic, sodium chlorate continues to decompose to oxygen, and the rate of combustion becomes very rapid.
The chemical equations for this demo are:
2KClO3(s) ( 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)
C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
The heat from the Bunsen burner is used to increase the rate of reaction. The glowing splint will re-light once there is a presence of oxygen, meaning that the decomposition reaction of KClO3 has begun. Because this reaction is extremely exothermic, the heat given off of the reaction causes the sugar in the Gummy Bear to explode into a marshmallow-like substance.
If you want to make it a Gummy Bear Day, have students perform the Gummy Bear diffusion lab at the websites below:
http://pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/activity/bear.htm
http://www.polymerambassadors.org/diffusionwater.pdf
I AM A GUMMY BEAR (The Gummy Bear
[pic]
This demonstration illustrates the vast amount of energy which is available from the oxidation of carbohydrates, such as sugar. An excess of oxygen, generated by the decomposition of potassium chlorate, will react with the glucose in a gummy bear, releasing a large amount of energy quickly and dramatically.
Introduction:
Sugar is a fuel that we use for energy. We can also use it to fuel a chemical reaction. In this reaction, the sugar from the gummy bear reacts with the oxygen produced from the decomposition of potassium chlorate. Purple sparks form, which are a result of the potassium ion (it has nothing to do with the colour of gummy bear you use).
As we heat the Potassium Chlorate it starts to …show more content…
Observe the products of this reaction. Did the reaction go to completion, forming only CO2 and H2O? What would the products include if the combustion was incomplete?
Summary: When heated, potassium chlorate decomposes, producing sufficient oxygen to ignite the sugar in the gummy bear. Since the oxidation of the sugar is very exothermic, sodium chlorate continues to decompose to oxygen, and the rate of combustion becomes very rapid.
The chemical equations for this demo are:
2KClO3(s) ( 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)
C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
The heat from the Bunsen burner is used to increase the rate of reaction. The glowing splint will re-light once there is a presence of oxygen, meaning that the decomposition reaction of KClO3 has begun. Because this reaction is extremely exothermic, the heat given off of the reaction causes the sugar in the Gummy Bear to explode into a marshmallow-like substance.
If you want to make it a Gummy Bear Day, have students perform the Gummy Bear diffusion lab at the websites below:
http://pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/activity/bear.htm
http://www.polymerambassadors.org/diffusionwater.pdf
I AM A GUMMY BEAR (The Gummy Bear