Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

finished science project on mummification of a hot dog (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p022.shtml). kept hot dog to observe for fun of it (out of salt). hot dog became even smaller in weight, cirrcumference and very hard. Darker in color also. Wondered why it did.

Hi mcp,

If you look at the project description in https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p022.shtml, you'll notice the definition of mummification in steps #9 and #10, and the repetition of steps #6 and #7 if change was still happening. So, my hunch, is that your hot dog was not completely mummified, and further mummification was occurring.

Ok, I didn't realize it would still be mummifing out of the salt, sealed container. Thought it had something to do with the air. Thanks!