When you mix sugar and water, the sugar dissolves in the water. This process is called dissolution. The sugar molecules break apart and spread evenly throughout the water, creating a homogeneous mixture known as a solution.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of what happens:
- Mixing: When you add sugar to water and stir, the sugar crystals come into contact with the water molecules.
- Dissolution: The water molecules surround the sugar molecules and pull them away from the crystal structure. This happens because water is a polar solvent, meaning it has a positive and negative end, which can attract and separate the sugar molecules.
- Homogeneous Mixture: Once the sugar molecules are separated, they spread out evenly in the water, creating a uniform solution. You won’t see any sugar crystals in the water anymore.
This process is physical, not chemical, meaning the sugar and water retain their individual properties. The solution will taste sweet because the sugar is still present, just in a dissolved form.