The Case of The Missing Cake

Overnight, a cake decorated by a famous baker

was stolen. Luckily, three suspects were found
with white powder residue on their clothing. As a
crime scene investigator, it is your job to test and
analyze the known and unknown powder to
determine which suspect was the culprit.

Suspect 1: Found with glucose on his clothing

Suspect 2: Found with sodium bicarbonate on her clothing

Suspect 3: Found with corn starch on his clothing

Suspect 4: Found with sodium chloride on her clothing

Unknown: White substance left on the cake tray

Procedure:
1. Get into your groups, tie back loose hair/clothes, and put goggles on!

2. Check that you have all the materials at your table:

o Spot plate with 4 different types of powders

o A container of vinegar
o A container of water
o An eyedropper

3. Add one drop of water to one sample of each powder. Record observations.

4. Add one drop of acetic acid to one sample of each powder. Record observations.

5. Add one drop of iodine to one sample of each powder. Record observations. RAISE
YOUR HAND AND I WILL BRING YOU IODINE FOR THIS STEP :)
6. Compare observations and answer analysis questions.

Record your observations in the chart below using the following descriptions:
* No change
* Dissolved
* Fizzed
 * Turned (a certain color)
Powder Glucose Sodium Corn Starch Sodium Unknown
Bicarbonate chloride
Liquid
Water

Acetic Acid

Iodine

Analysis:

1.Based on your observations, the unknown white powder is the same as which of the known
powders?

2. Which suspects was the culprit?