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The carbon snake

Concentrated sulfuric acid removes the water from sugar.

Topic: Organic chemistryGrade: 10Free

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What you do

  1. Add concentrated sulfuric acid drop by drop: press it three times.
  2. Wait a few seconds and watch the beaker.
  3. Use “Tests → Smell (waft)”: what gas is given off besides steam?

Safety in a real lab

⚠ Fume cupboard only. Concentrated sulfuric acid causes severe burns; the carbon column is very hot.

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