Inversion of cane sugar is a:

Pseudo first order reaction

The correct answer is Option (2) → Pseudo first order reaction

Inversion of cane sugar refers to the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose:

Sucrose + H₂O → Glucose + Fructose

This reaction occurs in aqueous medium where water is present in very large excess. Because the concentration of water remains practically constant during the reaction, the rate depends mainly on sucrose concentration. Thus, although the reaction involves two reactants, it behaves kinetically as a first order reaction. Such reactions are called pseudo first order reactions.

Option 1: Zero order reaction- In a zero order reaction, rate is independent of reactant concentration. In inversion of cane sugar, rate depends on sucrose concentration. Hence, it is not zero order.

Option 2: Pseudo first order reaction -Reaction involves sucrose and water, so actual molecularity is two. But since water is in excess, its concentration remains constant. Rate law becomes dependent only on sucrose concentration. Thus, reaction behaves as first order. Hence, pseudo first order reaction.

Option 3: Second order reaction -The true stoichiometry involves two reactants (sucrose and water). But experimentally, rate does not depend on both because water concentration does not change. So it does not behave as second order.

Option 4: Third order reaction -There are not three reacting species affecting the rate. Hence, this is incorrect.