Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

will someone answer a question? How does vinar react to the calicum in bones?

Amber,

This is a bulletin board, not a chat room. Experts check the forum once or twice per day--so you'll get an answer within 24-48 hours, not immediately.

Can you tell us a little more about your child's project? Why do you need to know this information? Have you tried looking at both Google and answers.com?

Mellisa,
There is no reason to be rude. I was unsure how this worked. My son and I are doing a science project on bones and calicum. We have put several
different bones in vinegar. The bones have not seemed to change. They have became alittle slimy and thats it. Is this a normal reaction.
Amber Lee

Amber,

I did not mean to be rude; I was merely explaining how the board works.

Here is a website describing a similar experiment (you'll have to scroll down; it's at the bottom): http://www.suzy.co.nz/suzysworld/Factpa ... ctSheet=78.

Here's an article on bone itself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone.

And here's one on calcium: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium. There are links in this last article that will take you to information about the specific mineral compounds in bone.

The short answer is no--the result you got is not what typically happens. I suspect that looking at the first site will give you some ideas of why something different might have happened in your son's experiment.

Melissa,
Thank you so much! That was exactly what I was looking for.
I really appreciate your speedy response. The project is due
monday.
Thanks again,
Amber