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Sucrose

From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science

Sucrose

General
Systematic name	Sucrose
Other names	Sugar, Saccharose
Molecular formula	C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
Molar mass	342.29648 g/mol342.296 amu
Appearance	white solid
CAS number	[57-50-01]
Properties
Density and phase	1.587 g/cm³1.587 g/ml, solid
Solubility in water	211.5 g/100 ml (20°C)
Melting point	186°C459.15 K 366.8 °F 826.47 °R
Chiral rotation [α]_D	66.47°
Crystal structure	monoclinic hemihedral
Main hazards	Combustible
NFPA 704	1 1 0
RTECS number	WN6500000
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Disclaimer and references

Sucrose, also known as sugar, is probably one of the most loved compounds in the world. Loved for its sweet taste and ability to become addicting to humans of all ages, 150 million tons of sugar are consumed every year. Sucrose has hundreds of uses, and is made from sugar beet or sugar cane. After it has been purified and crystallized, it becomes a fine, white powder, which can be used to sweeten foods.

1 Properties
2 Uses
3 Occurrences
4 In the Bible
5 References
6 See Also

Properties

Sucrose, also known as saccharose, or more commonly, sugar, is generally a fine, white, odorless powder with a sweet taste. The stomic formula of sucrose is C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁. The molar mass of sucrose is 342.29648 g/mol. The hydrogen ratio of sucrose is 2:1, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic bond between the first carbon atom, of the glucose unit, and the second carbon atom, of the fructose unit. Sucrose is covalently bonded because of the non ionic attraction of the carbon and oxygen atoms. The melting point of sucrose is 186 degrees C. When it is melted it forms caramel, and when combusted produces carbon, carbon dioxide, and water.

Uses

Sugar cubes

Cookies contain lots of Sugar

Sucrose, or sugar, is most often used as a sweetener for foods. Sugar is usually extracted from sugar cane or beet and then crystallized through purification. Sugar is used in almost every dessert recipe and thousands of other foods, such as: candy, cookies, cakes, pies, cereals, fruits, juice, muffins, ice cream, and many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many more.

Sucrose is used in the human body as a macronutrient that provides a source of energy to the body. When sugar is consumed, it causes a rapid rise in blood glucose. Sugar is not usually eaten just by itself, but it is mixed in with foods, or sprinkled on top of foods to sweeten the flavor.

Occurrences

Sugar is produced in over 121 countries all around the world. Its global production now exceeds over 120 million tons a year. 70% of sugar is produced from sugar cane, and 30% of sugar is produced from sugar beet. Sugar cane is a tall grass with large stems, generally grown in tropical areas. Sugar beet is a root, resembling a parsnip, generally grown in the temperate zones of the north.

In order to produce sugar from sugar cane, you have to first grow and harvest the cane. It takes about 12 months to grow a fully matured sugar cane. Harvesting the cane is done by chopping down the stems and taking them to the factory. Harvesting usually takes place during the dry season. Next, you have to extract the cane, usually using big roller mills. This produces a sweet juice which is the taken to the boilers to be evaporated into a thicker liquid. Then the liquid is boiled until it becomes the right density to form sugar crystals. Once the crystals have grown, they are spun, dried, and then stored until they are refined.

In order to produce sugar from sugar beet, you have to first harvest the beets, usually in autumn or winter, by digging them out of the ground. The beets are then sliced into thin chips and soaked in hot water. Extraction then takes place by, applying water pressure to the beet chips, producing a sweet liquid. The beets are then pressed, using screw presses.

Sugar Cane Plantation

In the Bible

Sugar is mentioned several times in the Bible. There are hundreds of verses in the Bible that talk about the things of the Lord being "sweeter than honey", and "sweet to the soul". God uses these kinds of verses to appeal to us and encourage us.

Exodus 15:25 - Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them.

Psalm 119:103 - How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Proverbs 9:17 - "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Song of Solomon 4:11 - Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon.

Revelation 10:10 - I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.