if an egg is put in vinegar what causes the shell to dissolve?

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if an egg is put in vinegar what causes the shell to dissolve?

2007-04-24 04:29:26 · 3 answers · asked by prettypencils33 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

3 answers

The egg shell is make mostly of calcium carbonate. When soaked in vinegar, which is an acid (acetic acid), the carbonate neutralizes the acid and in the process gets used up.

2007-04-24 04:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by Kiss 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Egg shells are mostly calcium carbonate. So the reaction with vinegar (which is acetic acid) is:

Acetic acid + calcium carbonate ===> calcium acetate + carbon dioxide + water

2 H3CCOOH + CaCO3 ===> Ca+2 + 2 H3CCOO- + CO2 + H2O

2007-04-24 04:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Vinegar (acetic acid) dissolves calcium. It is also used to clean calcium out of coffee makers.

2007-04-24 04:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋