Q:
Is sugar an acid or base?
A:
Quick Answer
Sugar is neither an acid nor a base. Pure sugar, or glucose, is a neutral substance. A neutral substance is a substance that does not exhibit acidic or basic properties. Neutral substances like sugar do not trigger a reaction on a Litmus paper.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Melissa Wiese
CC-BY 2.0
Full Answer
Generally, an acid contains hydrogen, and a base contains hydroxide. Acids in solution ionize to produce hydrogen or hydronium ions. Likewise, bases ionize to produce hydroxide ions. Table sugar contains hydrogen and hydroxide within the molecular formula. When sugar is dissolved into water, it does not dissociate its constituents. The molecules stay intact and do not produce free hydrogen or hydroxide ions.
Learn more about Acids & BasesRelated Questions
-
Q:
Is NH3 an acid or a base?
A: NH3, also known as ammonia, is a weak base. It is basic because the molecule reacts with water to form negatively charged ions of OH. Strong bases complete... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is NaNO3 a base or an acid?
A: NaNO3, commonly referred to as sodium nitrate, is not an acid or a base. When dissolved in water this compound actually produces a neutral solution. Sodium... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What happens when an acid and a base are combined?
A: Mixing a base with an acid results in a chemical reaction called neutralization. The result is a perfectly balanced solution of salt and water with a pH of... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is caffeine an acid or a base?
A: Caffeine is a base. It occurs naturally in the leaves, fruits or seeds of over 60 plants worldwide, including coffee beans, cacao beans, kola nuts and many... Full Answer >Filed Under:
