Sugar is sucrose, a molecule composed of 12 atoms of carbon, 22 atoms of hydrogen, and 11 atoms of oxygen (C 12 H 22 O 11 ). Like all compounds made from these three elements, sugar is a carbohydrate. It’s found naturally in most plants, but especially in sugarcane & sugar beets—hence their names. Sucrose is 2simpler sugars stuck together: fructose & glucose. A little bit of acid(lemon juice/cream of tartar) will cause sucrose to break down into these 2components.