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This week's LabZone activity
Dec. 21, 2005
Rubber Bones
Bounce an egg? Tie a knot in a chicken leg? Learn more about chemical reactions, diet, and the skeletal system.
Description:
Bones and raw eggs are soaked in vinegar.
You Will Need:
- raw eggs
- cleaned chicken bones
- vinegar
- jars with tight lids
Instructions:
The materials used in this activity are completely safe. However, the process can be messy.
Clean the bones thoroughly. Remove all bits of meat and skin. Place a bone in the jar. Fill the jar with vinegar and attach the lid. Place a raw egg in another jar and fill the jar with vinegar. Attach the lid to the jar.
Allow the jars to remain undisturbed for several days. Remove the bone and wash it thoroughly. The bone will be very flexible. It may be possible to tie the bone in a knot.
Remove the egg from the vinegar and wash it. The egg will be rubber-like. It will bounce.
Do not bounce the egg too hard. It might split.
Content:
Vinegar contains acetic acid. The acid reacts with calcium in the bones, leaching it from the cell walls. The acid also reacts with the calcium in eggshells, as well as the fats and proteins in the egg.
Calcium is essential for strong teeth, bones, and a healthy diet. Milk and other dairy products are primary sources of calcium, as are dark green, leafy vegetables. Many foods have been fortified with added calcium. By eating a wide variety of foods with calcium, you can help make sure to get the calcium you need each day to stay strong and healthy.
Teacher's Notes
Activity excerpted by permission of the Chemical Educational Foundation (www.chemed.org) from You Be The Chemist. For additional information about these activities and lesson plans, see www.chemed.org/Kit.html.
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