Take an Egg X-Ray

Learn to dissolve the shell from an egg as if you had x-ray vision

Materials

• 1 raw egg

• At least 2 cups of white vinegar

• 1 glass jar

Directions

1. Carefully place an egg in jar & fill it with vinegar so the egg is completely submerged

2. Wait 12-24 hours until most of the egg shell has dissolved

3. Carefully pour out the vinegar and catch the egg in your hand. You can rub the remaining bits of the egg with your fingers (it will be like a white powder). If the shell isn’t coming off easily, return the egg to the jar with fresh vinegar

4. After the first or second soaking in the vinegar, you’ll notice that the egg, held together with membranes, is still pretty much intact

Why it works
Egg shells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, the primary material found in pearls and seashells. When you put the egg in vinegar (which is around 4% acetic acid), you cause a chemical reaction that results in calcium acetate, water and carbon dioxide gas - and a strange looking egg.

Safety note
Remember to wash your hands after handling the naked egg at any point in this experiment. Eggs can contain salmonella, so scrub away.

adapted from MOSI