Is sugar polar or nonpolar and why?

Question

Is sugar polar or nonpolar and why?
I think it's nonpolar, but I don't really know why...
Please help.
Thank you.

DrBob222 · Answer

You are correct. Sugar is a non-polar compound because it does not ionize; that is, it dissolves in water but stays as the molecule instead of breaking apart into ions as NaCl (salt) does.

kat · Answer

Thanks a lot! Also one more question.. What general rule determines whether a solute will dissolve in a solvent? Thanks!

DrBob222 · Answer

Remember the saying, "like dissolves like." That is, polar compounds, in general, dissolve in polar solvents and non-polar compounds dissolve in non-polar solvents. Salt is a polar compound and dissolves in water, a polar solvent. Sugar also dissolves, easily, in water although sugar is a non-polar compound and water is a polar solvent? Why? Because sugar has a lot of OH groups on it and water is H2O or HOH.

Andrew; Food Scientist at Penn State · Answer

Greetings. Consider sucrose (C12H22O11). These atoms that make up sucrose are held together by bonds. Consider the oxygen and hydrogen bonds of sucrose. An oxygen atom is more electronegative than hydrogen, therefore attracts electrons in the bonds more so than hydrogen atoms, which is less electronegative. This produces an unevenly distributed charge within the molecule that ultimately makes the sucrose polar (an example of a "permanent dipole"). Interestingly, refined sugar is defined by the USDA by polarity.