Lab Report Template: A SWEET Experiment

November 30, 2012

HYPOTHESIS

• If sugar is burned, then _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

because…. _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ (Think about what you have learned regarding chemical reactions.)

PROCEDURES

• Cut a piece of aluminum foil into a square that is about five inches wide and five inches long. Place an identifier on foil.

• Place one teaspoon of sugar on the aluminum foil.

• Dip the cotton swab in the sugar and place the swab to his/her tongue.

• In the Data Table, record how the sugar tastes.

• Use a hand lens to study the sugar closely. Record the color and texture of sugar in the Date Table.

PROCEDURES (Cont’d)

• Place the foil on a hot plate set on the highest temperature until all of the sugar has changed in appearance (color & texture) of the sugar at this point. Record your results.

• Turn off the hot plate. Once the material on the aluminum foil cools, taste it with another sterile swab. Place the swab to your tongue.

• Record the taste of the new material in the Data Table.

• Observe the new material with the hand lens and record observations in Data Table.

MATERIALS

• A hot plate• Aluminum foil• Sugar• Teaspoon• Hand lens• Scissors• Sterile cotton swab

DATA TABLE

DRAW CONCLUSION• Sugar contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. When sugar

is heated, it releases gases into the atmosphere and leaves a dark solid behind. Carbon is black, and hydrogen and oxygen are colorless. (1) What solid product do you think was formed when the sugar was heated?

• When materials undergo physical changes, the composition of the material is not altered. However, when materials undergo chemical changes, a new product is created that has characteristics different from the original material. (2) Is burning sugar a chemical or a physical change? Support your answer with your lab results.

• Think about burning wood in a fireplace. (3) Is the appearance of wood changed by burning? (4) Do the properties of the wood change when it is burned? (5) Do you think that burning is a chemical or physical change?