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Evelyn_475's avatar

Why doesn't my household vinegar make calcite fizz?

Asked by Evelyn_475 (792points) September 27th, 2011

I am teaching a unit to 4th graders on rocks and minerals. I really want to show them how calcite can fizz by dropping vinegar on it, but the vinegar at my house isn’t working and I don’t know why. Is it because it is 5% acidity? Is there a special kind of vinegar to use? I remember doing this test in my undergrad geology class so I know what is supposed to happen, it’s just not happening.

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3 Answers

WestRiverrat's avatar

How old is your vinegar? If the bottle isn’t tightly sealed it can go bad. Cheapest thing is to try a new bottle.

WestRiverrat (20117points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…
Rarebear's avatar

Right. Try different samples and reagents.

Rarebear (25192points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…
Adirondackwannabe's avatar

It might be the vinegar, but I’m thinking the calcite is too hard of a mineral for the vinegar to react with. Try breaking up a little of it?

Adirondackwannabe (36713points)“Great Answer” (2points) Flag as…

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