Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R) : Assertion (A) : Invert sugar is sweeter than sucrose. Reason (R) : Invert sugar is obtained by the hydrolysis of sucrose. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

The correct answer is B. Both statements are true, but the reason does not explain the assertion.

Assertion (A) is true. Invert sugar is an equimolar mixture of glucose and fructose. Fructose is much sweeter than sucrose, so the mixture tastes sweeter than sucrose. This is why invert sugar is used in confectionery and beverages.

Reason (R) is true. Invert sugar is made by hydrolysing sucrose with an acid or the enzyme invertase. The sucrose is split into glucose and fructose, and the mixture is called invert sugar because the optical rotation changes sign during the process.

Why R does not explain A. Hydrolysis only tells us how invert sugar is made. The extra sweetness comes from the fructose it contains, which is sweeter than sucrose. The method of preparation is not the cause of the sweetness.

Core concept: the link between the composition of a sugar and its sweetness, and the chemistry of sucrose hydrolysis. This connects to food processing and the sugar industry, which are useful Mains examples.

Trap: aspirants see "hydrolysis" in R and assume it explains A. Being a true fact does not make a statement the correct explanation.