Hannah Petty 1 of 4

Chemistry Alpha
Sept. 26, 2016

Carbon Snake Lab Report

Abstract

We created carbon from sulfuric acid and glucose, but God created man from carbon.

During this lab, we were able to create solid carbon by mixing glucose and sulfuric acid. The

indicators of a chemical reaction were clearly visible. We practiced how to identify the different

indicators, as well as learning the details of the reaction of glucose and sulfuric acid.

Introduction

The main objective of this lab was to be able to observe the 6 indicators of a chemical

reaction. These include a temperature change, a color change, a gas released, an odor, an energy,

and a formation of a precipitate. During this lab, we dehydrated sugar using sulfuric acid. This

action created the “carbon snake.” My hypothesis for this lab is that we will be able to see a

color change, a gas released, an energy released, and be able to smell an odor released.

Sulfuric acid is a colorless oily liquid that is soluble in water and releases heat. It is

corrosive to metals and tissue, and it will char wood and most other organic matter upon contact;

however, it is unlikely that it will cause a fire. Sulfuric acid has a density of 15 lb/gal. Long-

term exposure to low concentrations or short-term exposure to high concentrations can be

harmful to your health if inhaled. It is used to create fertilizers and other chemicals. Also, it’s

used in petroleum refining and iron and steel production. The weight of sulfuric acid is 98.07848

g/mol, and its molecular formula is H2O4S (I can not figure out how to input a subscript).

Materials & Methods

Hannah Petty 2 of 4
Chemistry Alpha
Sept. 26, 2016
For this experiment, lab coats, goggles, gloves, a beaker, sulfuric acid, a stirrer rod, and

sugar were used.

1. A lab coat, goggles, and gloves were put on.

2. 500 ml of sugar was placed in a beaker, outside on a table.

3. Sulfuric acid was poured into the beaker and stirred with the stirrer rod.

4. The experiment was watched.

5. The different indicators of a chemical reaction were recorded.

Observations & Empirical Data

When the sulfuric acid was poured into the glucose, nothing originally happened. The

stirrer rod helped begin the chemical reaction. The sugar began as white; however, after mixing

with the sulfuric acid, it turned from yellow to orange, to brown, and then to black. The gas

released was a combination of steam and sulfur oxide fumes. We were not able to measure the

temperature; however, Mrs. Lowery told us it had been previously measured at greater than or

equal to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The odor started out sweet, similar to a candy store, but shortly

after, it just began to smell rotten. It actually left a burning sensation in my throat. The primary

form of energy visible was heat, due to the large amount of steam coming off of the experiment.

There was no visible formation of a precipitate. After the sulfuric acid had been mixed with the

sugar, a solid almost charcoal like tube began to rise from the beaker. This was solid carbon. It

was a black color and had the consistency of charcoal.

Hannah Petty 3 of 4
Chemistry Alpha
Sept. 26, 2016

Temperat Color Gas Odor Energy Formation

ure Change Released Released of
Change Precipitat
e

previously white to steam and candy heat N/A

recorded yellow sulfer store then
at greater yellow to oxide just rotten
than or orange fumes
equal to orange to
200 brown
degrees brown to
Fahrenhei black
t

Data Analysis

Even though we were unable to measure the temperature of the chemical reaction, the

amount of steam being given off was a clear indicator that it was extremely hot! The experiment

was the dehydration of a carbohydrate; therefore, we were left with elemental carbon. I know

that there was 500 mL of sugar in the beaker, but I was not aware of the amount of sulfuric acid

used. That could potentially be a source of error. Depending on the amount of a substance, there

could potentially be a change in the chemical reaction.

Conclusion

The purpose of this lab was to identify the indicators of a chemical reaction. This goal

was definitely accomplished. However, my hypothesis was proved false. While we were able to

see color change, gas released, energy released, and be able to smell the odor released. We were

also able to see the temperature change. But, the formation of a precipitate was still not visible.
Hannah Petty 4 of 4
Chemistry Alpha
Sept. 26, 2016
If further experiments were conducted, altering the amount of sugar and sulfuric acid would

result in some interesting conclusions. Being able to see the slight difference in the reactions

based on the amount of a substance would definitely be a unique comparison! So, to review, the

sugar plus the sulfuric acid resulted in carbon with a mixture of water and acid remaining in the

beaker. The water still remains in the acid; however, because it is an exothermic reaction, the

majority of the water turned into steam.

Biblical Application

Genesis 2:7, “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed

into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

We were created from His world. The elements that we learn about in class are part of

our bodies. It just befuddles me how our God is so detailed and intricate that He knows what our

bodies require to function. Carbon is just one of the natural elements from which man was

created.

References

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/sulfuric_acid#section=Top

http://userscontent2.emaze.com/images/c4f849f4-d389-423a-8910-34edb1f16bac/a738dbd8-

1e4b-4fac-a76a-a43fc30cebe5.jpg