Thirty ml of sugar (sucrose) (C12H22O11) is mixed with 30 ml of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). A chemical reaction takes place to produce carbon, water (H2O) and sulfur trioxide (SO3). It's a fun chemical reaction to observe because there are dramatic changes in color, smell (make sure good ventilation is present), and temperature (so much heat is released that it melts the plastic cup). Gases are also produced which add to the drama.