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JAMB Chemistry 1981 Question 15

Question 15

Sulphur and its Compounds

If concentrated sulphuric acid is added to sugar and warmed gently, the sugar changes from white to brown and finally to a black mass of carbon. In this reaction, concentrated sulphuric acid is acting as

  1. A.a drying agent
  2. B.an oxidizing agent
  3. C.a dehydrating agent
  4. D.a reducing agent
  5. E.a hydrolysing agent.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a dehydrating agent)

Explanation

The acid removes the elements of water (H and O in a 2:1 ratio) from the sugar, leaving carbon. That is dehydration.