Question

The acid which can produce carbon from cane sugar is ______.

Options

• concentrated hydrochloric acid

• concentrated nitric acid

• concentrated acetic acid

• concentrated acetic acid

Answer 1

The acid which can produce carbon from cane sugar is concentrated acetic acid.

Explanation:

Concentrated sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) acts as a powerful dehydrating agent with a tremendous affinity for water. When it is added to cane sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), it chemically removes all the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the form of water molecules. This leaves behind a black, porous, spongy mass of elemental carbon in a process known as sugar charring.