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Naked, bouncy egg

The bubbles you see forming on the shell are carbon dioxide (CO2). Vinegar is an acid called acetic acid (CH3COOH).

 

Eggshells are made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

 

The acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell to make calcium acetate plus water and carbon dioxide that you see as bubbles on the surface of the shell.


The chemical equation for the reaction is:

 

2 CH3COOH + CaCO3 = Ca(CH3COO)2 + H2O + CO2


Acetic acid + Calcium carbonate = Calcium acetate + Water + Carbon dioxide

 

When you shine a light through the egg it looks translucent this is because the hard, outside shell has gone. The only part that is keeping the egg together is the thin membrane called a semipermeable membrane.

 

And remember don’t try this at home, try it a friend’s home!

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