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Taimour Abbasi
January 17, 2019
Science 10 Pre-IB
Period 5
Mr. Lewchuk
through observing the reaction between potassium chlorate, sugar, and sulfuric acid. This
experiment was done by mixing the potassium chlorate and sugar together and then dropping
sulfuric acid onto it. The specific results were examined afterwards.
2. Materials
1 Gummy Bear
5g Potassium Chlorate
Scoopula
Test Tube
Glasses
Fume Hood
Gloves
Mortar and Pestle
Tongs
3. Procedure
(1) Safety glasses and gloves were worn, and the experiment was set up under the fume hood. (2)
The potassium chloride was placed into a test tube, so it could melt. (2) After melting, a gummy
bear was dropped into the test tube. (5) The reaction started immediately.
4. Safety Considerations
Materials Risk Safety Consideration
Potassium Chlorate It can cause skin and eye Safety glasses and gloves
irritation. were worn while handling the
material.
Flame It can cause burns. Smoke Discretion was used while
inhalation can be harmful. dropping the sulfuric acid.
Everyone stood a fair
distance away from the flame.
Safety glasses and gloves
were worn.
5. Reactants
Potassium Chlorate
Gummy Bear
over a Bunsen burner, it took about 5 minutes for it to turn into liquid. After the gummy bear was
dropped into the tube, the mixture immediately burst into purple-white flame. After a few
seconds, the flame reverted into an orange color. The purple flame was in particular because of
the potassium ions. The eventual orange fire was because of sodium ions. There was also noise
created by the reaction. After the reaction was over, there appeared to be black graphite left in
When the potassium chlorate became heated, it decomposed into potassium chloride and
oxide. When the gummy bear is dropped, the oxide from the decomposition reacts violently with
the glucose molecule in sucrose. This is because the molten potassium chlorate is a very good
oxidizer, and so it can accept electrons from other molecules. The result is a combustion
reaction. This reaction is exothermic because energy is released in the form of flames, which can
also produce light. This reaction can also be classified as a redox reaction as the sucrose is
oxidized and the chlorate anion is reduced. Additionally, for this experiment, the heat is the
7. Products Produced
Solid Carbon (Graphite)
Carbon Dioxide
Potassium Chloride
Water Vapor
8. Chemical Equation
8KClO3(s) + C12H22O11(s) → 8KCI(s) + 12CO2(g) + 11H2O(g)
In a combustion reaction, potassium chloride, sugar, and oxygen are mixed together. Potassium
chloride, carbon dioxide and water are produced as a result. After the initial reaction, the solution
becomes stable.
9. Conclusion
This objective of this experiment was to learn about combustion reactions by using
sulfuric acid as a catalyst to make ground potassium chlorate and sugar react and ignite. After
completing the experiment, the reaction was analyzed for its characteristics. In particular, redox
reactions and exothermic processes were researched. Overall, this experiment was a success
because the reaction went as expected and it was analyzed to a sufficient degree.
10. Resources
1. Chemistry-demonstrations-sugar and potassium chlorate. (2019). Dynamicscience.com.au.
Retrieved 8 January 2019, from
http://www.dynamicscience.com.au/tester/solutions1/chemistry/chemicaldemos/sugarandkclo.h
tm
2. Chemical Reactions II 5.5-Lecture Demonstrations-Department of Chemistry-University of
Massachusetts Amherst. (2019). Lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu. Retrieved 8 January 2019, from
https://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/chemReactions5_5.html
3. (2019). Csub.edu. Retrieved 13 January 2019, from
https://www.csub.edu/chemistry/_files/Exploding%20Gummy%20Bears.pdf
4. Background – Flaming Gummy Bear. (2019). Scactivities.cikeys.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019,
from http://scactivities.cikeys.com/flaming-gummy-bear/background/