As a subject matter expert in chemistry, I can explain the differences between sugar and salt when dissolved in water.
Sugar, specifically table sugar or sucrose, is a
disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose molecules. When sugar is dissolved in water, it undergoes a process called
hydration. The water molecules surround the sugar molecules, and the sugar molecules do not dissociate into ions. Instead, they remain intact as
covalent molecules. This is because the sucrose molecule is held together by covalent bonds, and these bonds are not broken by the water.
Salt, on the other hand, is a common name for
sodium chloride (NaCl). When salt is dissolved in water, it undergoes
ionization or
dissociation. The ionic bonds between the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions are broken by the polar water molecules, resulting in a solution that contains free
sodium ions and
chloride ions. These ions are attracted to the polar water molecules due to the electrostatic forces between them.
The key differences between sugar and salt in water are:
1. Chemical Composition: Sugar is an organic compound made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, while salt is an inorganic compound consisting of sodium and chlorine.
2. Dissociation in Water: Sugar remains as whole molecules, whereas salt dissociates into ions.
3. Taste: Sugar is sweet, while salt is salty.
4. Physical Properties: The solution of sugar in water is neutral, whereas a salt solution can conduct electricity due to the presence of ions.
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