Title: The Black Snack Experiment

Objective: To study the reaction of sugar during combustion.

Materials: Baking soda, sugar, lighter fluid, sand
Apparatus: Can, lighter
Safety Precautions:
Conduct the experiment on the tray. Keep a bowl of water nearby during the experiment. Do not
touch the burner after the experiment, wait until it gets cold.
Procedure:
1. Powdered sugar and baking soda were mixed in a ratio of 4:1
2. A can was filled with sand and the sand is wet by lighter fluid.
3. The mixture was poured onto the middle of the sand.
4. The mixture was lighted up.
5. The product of reactions was observed.
6. The experiment residues were disposed along with regular household trash.
Expected Result:
The solid fuel starts to burn. The mixture of sugar and baking soda in the flames will turn into a
black "snake." If this experiment is done correctly, it is possible to grow a snake that is 1550 cm
long.
Theory / Concept of the Experiment:
The manipulated variable in the experiment is the amount of sugar and baking soda. The
responding variable is the growth of black snake.
When sugar (C12H22O11) burns, it turns into water vapour and carbon dioxide. However,
complete combustion reguires a good oxygen supply. Other complex processes take place at high
temperature, because the flow of oxygen to the inner parts of the pile of sugar is hindered. These
processes include the decomposition of sugar to give carbon and water vapour, it is this
decomposition to give carbon that gives a black snake.
Baking soda decomposes when heated to release carbon dioxide (CO2 ).
2NaHCO3 Na2CO3+ H2O + CO2. Baking soda is added to bread dough to make it rise and it is
the same for this experiment. The carbon dioxide and water vapour that is given off make the snake
light and airy, which allows the snake to grow. (Anne)
The snake is carbonate with black carbon particles, consists of mainly carbon that comes
from the heated sugar, but which was not burnt in the flame. The carbon is what makes the snake
black. There is also Na2CO3 in the snake, which results from the decomposition of the baking soda
when heated. (Anne Marie, 2014)
The three main reactions in this experiment are combustion of sugar, themal decomposition
of sugar and themal decomposition of baking soda. Combustion of sugar (good oxygen supply
available) gives carbon dioxide and water vapour. 12H22O11 + 12O2 12CO2 + 11H2O.
Themal decomposition of sugar gives carbon and water vapour. 12H22O11 12C + 11H2O.
Thermal decomposition of baking soda gives sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water .
2NaHCO3 Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O. (MEL Science, 2015)

References:
1. Anne Marie Helmenstine (Dec, 2014). Retrieved from:
chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/blacksnakes.htm
2. MEL Science (2015). Retrieved from: https://melscience.com/en/experiments/sugarsnake/#scientific_description
Conclusion: Burning of mixture of sugar and baking soda releases a carbon compound, black
snake.
Usage / Application:
The black snake experiment can be used for education purpose, to demonstrate different chemical
reactions which are combustion and themal decomposition.