What chemical makes gummy bears explode?

What chemical makes gummy bears explode?

The sugar present in the gummy bear undergoes rapid oxidation forming carbon dioxide and water, assuming complete combustion, a very exothermic process.

Why do gummy Bears explode in potassium chlorate?

Summary: When heated, potassium chlorate decomposes, producing sufficient oxygen to ignite the sugar in the gummy bear. Since the oxidation of the sugar is very exothermic, sodium chlorate continues to decompose to oxygen, and the rate of combustion becomes very rapid.

How do you make gummy bears explode?

In this experiment, a demonstration of a spontaneous exothermic reaction will take place between a gummy bear and molten potassium chlorate. Once the potassium chlorate has been melted in a test tube, a gummy bear will be dropped to his doom and flames will burst out of the tube as a result.

What happens when you mix potassium chlorate and sugar?

When potassium chlorate and ordinary table sugar are combined, and a drop of sulfuric acid is added as a catalyst, the two react violently with each other, releasing large quantities of heat energy, a spectacular purplish flame, and a great deal of smoke.

Where can you find potassium chlorate?

Potassium chlorate is an important potassium compound that can be used as an oxidizer, disinfectant, source of oxygen, and component in pyrotechnics and chemistry demonstrations. You can make potassium chlorate from common household bleach and salt substitute.

What is the chemical formula for Gummy bears?

(For those unfamiliar with written chemical equations, the abbreviations (s) and (g) are used for solid and gas, respectively.) Gummy bears are made of the sugar sucrose, C12H22O11, which is in turn is made of glucose and fructose, both C6H12O6.

What happens when you heat potassium chlorate?

When KClO3 is heated strongly, it breaks down, releasing oxygen gas and leaving behind a thermally stable (i.e., heat-insensitive) solid residue of an ionic potassium compound. There are at least three plausible reactions one can write for the process, but only one occurs to any significant extent.

What liquid will make a gummy bear grow?

water
When you drop a gummy bear into plain water, you’ll see the bear grow and grow as water flows into the bear. Why? The water moves to even out the stuff dissolved in it. Outside the gummy bear, you have water with nothing in it.

What chemicals are in Gummy bears?

Gummy Bears are made of a protein substance called gelatin, which gives candy a jelly-like texture. When gelatin is heated then cooled, gelatin becomes a solid as the protein chains form a pattern that looks like a sponge under the microscope.

Why do Gummy bears shrink in salt water?

Science behind Shrinking Gummy Bears in salt water, what happens? because there are more salt molecules in the salt water than in the Gummy Bear. The Gummy Bear grows shrinks!

Is potassium chlorate legal in the US?

You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. No occupational exposure limits have been established for Potassium Chlorate. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed.

What happens if you eat potassium chlorate?

Acute ingestion of 5–10 g of a chlorate salt may cause life-threatening toxicity, including methemoglobinemia, cyanosis, hemolysis, diffuse intravascular coagulation and renal failure; universally fatal prior to the advent of dialysis [2–6].

Is potassium chlorate toxic?

Potassium chlorate, aqueous solution appears as a colorless liquid. Denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion.

Which liquid will grow the biggest gummy bear?

because there are more sugar molecules in the Gummy Bear than in the water. The Gummy Bear grows bigger! in salt water, what happens? because there are more salt molecules in the salt water than in the Gummy Bear.

What happens to gummy bears in distilled water?

The tap water contains impurities that the gummy bear was already at an equilibrium with. Therefore, if it is placed in distilled water; it would be placed in a hypotonic solution. This would cause it to swell even more and become more fragile.