Soften up an egg. Learners use vinegar to test for calcium carbonate in an egg shell and an antacid tablet and compare the reaction with vinegar to the reaction with water. In a second experiment, class members break down an egg shell leaving the inside of the egg intact by dissolving the calcium carbonate allowing them to see the inside.

Concepts

calcium, calcium carbonate, vinegar, eggs, chemical reactions

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask the class to come up with other materials to check whether they contain calcium carbonate

Classroom Considerations

• Part of Adventures in Chemistry experiments
• One experiment requires two days

Pros

• Contains an explanation of what is happening in the experiment
• Includes a list of objects that contain calcium carbonate

Cons

• None