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What You
Need:
·
Seashells
· Vinegar
· Spoon
· Glass
· Paper towel
· Paper and pencil
Tip:
This works best if you leave the shell in the vinegar for
a few days.
Question:
What are seashells made of?
1.
First, put a seashell in a glass.
2.
Pour the vinegar over the shell so it is completely covered.
3.
Now, observe, or watch, what happens to the shell. Record
anything interesting you notice.
4.
Leave the shell in the vinegar for a few days. Check on the
shell often and write about any changes you see.
5.
After a few days use the spoon to fish the shell out of the
vinegar. Put the shell on the paper towel and press down on
it with the spoon. What happens?
A
Scientific Explanation
Seashells contain calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate
reacts with the acid in the vinegar and causes carbon dioxide
bubbles to form. Even though the acid in vinegar is weak it
can, over a period of time, dissolve shells.
Something
EXTRA! You can do for fun:
Test this again with another kind of shell. What do you notice
about this experiment that is different or the same?
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