Common household substances:
* Sugar (sucrose): When heated, sugar caramelizes, turning brown and eventually black.
* Flour: Flour contains carbohydrates that will brown when heated, especially at higher temperatures. This is the basis for browning in baking.
* Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): Baking soda decomposes when heated, producing sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide gas. This process can leave a brown residue.
Chemical compounds:
* Iron oxide (Fe2O3): Also known as rust, iron oxide can turn brown when heated, especially if exposed to air.
* Copper oxide (CuO): Copper oxide can turn brown when heated, depending on the starting form and temperature.
* Manganese dioxide (MnO2): This compound can also turn brown when heated, particularly if it undergoes a chemical change.
Other possibilities:
* Certain types of wood dust: Wood dust can brown when heated due to the breakdown of organic compounds.
* Organic materials: Many organic powders, such as dried plants or certain types of resins, can brown when heated due to the breakdown of their structure.
Important Note: To determine the exact powder that turns brown when heated, you need more information about the context and the specific substance in question.