The dissolving of sugar in water is a physical change. It involves the breaking of intermolecular forces between sugar molecules and the formation of new intermolecular forces between sugar molecules and water molecules, resulting in a homogeneous mixture. The chemical composition of both sugar and water remains unchanged throughout the process. 1
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Key Takeaways: Is Sugar Dissolving a Physical or Chemical Change?
- The dissolution of sugar in water is a physical change, not a chemical change.
- The sugar molecules disperse throughout the water but retain their chemical properties.
- The process can be reversed by evaporating the water, and the sugar will return to its original form.
Why is sugar dissolving in water a physical change?
The dissolution of sugar in water is considered a physical change because it does not involve a change in the chemical composition or identity of the substances involved. In this process, the sugar molecules disperse and become uniformly distributed throughout the water, creating a homogeneous mixture. 2
During the dissolution of sugar in water, the individual sugar molecules separate from each other and interact with water molecules. 3
The water molecules surround the sugar molecules, forming hydration shells through hydrogen bonding.
These interactions weaken the attractive forces between the sugar molecules, allowing them to separate and become dispersed in the water.
Although the sugar molecules disperse in the water, they retain their chemical properties and characteristics.
They can be recovered by evaporating the water, and the sugar will be in its original form. Therefore, the process of dissolving sugar in water is classified as a physical change rather than a chemical change.
Why is sugar dissolving not a chemical change?
Sugar dissolving in water is not a chemical change because it does not involve the breaking or formation of chemical bonds. Instead, it is a physical process where the sugar molecules disperse in the water, resulting in a homogeneous mixture. The sugar molecules retain their chemical identity and can be recovered by evaporating the water.
When sugar is added to water, the water molecules surround the sugar molecules due to intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding.
These interactions weaken the attractive forces between the sugar molecules, causing them to separate and become dispersed throughout the water.
The sugar molecules do not undergo any chemical reactions or transformations; they simply mix with the water molecules.
This physical change can be reversed by evaporating the water, which leaves behind the sugar in its original crystalline form.
The chemical composition of the sugar remains unchanged throughout the process.
Therefore, the dissolving of sugar in water is considered a physical change rather than a chemical change.
Further reading
Is Salt Dissolving in Water a Physical or Chemical Change?
Is Burning of a Candle a Physical or Chemical Change?
Is Burning of Paper a Physical or Chemical Change?
Is Melting a Physical or Chemical Change?
Is Burning a Physical or Chemical Change?
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References
- Purdue.edu https://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch18/soluble.php
- 3.3: The Dissolving Process. (2020, June 19). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Brevard_College/CHE_104%3A_Principles_of_Chemistry_II/03%3A_Solutions_and_Colloids/3.03%3A_The_Dissolving_Process
- Acs.org https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/k-8/inquiry-in-action/fifth-grade/g5-l1.2-bkgd.pdf
