Chalk can break down when submerged in acidic liquids.
Attempting to dissolve chalk in various liquids is a classic science project used to demonstrate the effects of acid rain on erosion. Because true chalk is a soft mineral, students can observe and chart the erosion process over a few days. Natural and man-made structures such as mountains and brick buildings take years to break down with erosion, since they are made of harder materials than chalk. Read the label on your chalk before using it in this experiment, and use calcium carbonate rather than synthetic chalk.
Instructions
1. Break chalk into equal-sized pieces, one piece for each container.
2. Fill one container with pure vinegar. Fill the other container with water. If you wish, fill additional containers with vinegar and water solutions of varying strengths or different liquids such as lemon juice or cola. Use an equal amount of liquid in each container.
3. Label each glass with the liquid it contains. If the glass contains a solution, indicate the percentage of water and other liquids.
4. Place a piece of chalk in each container. Observe the chalk daily and record the appearance of the liquid and chalk in each container. You will notice that the chalk in containers with high percentages of vinegar or another acidic liquid breaks down more quickly and thoroughly. Chalk in pure vinegar should completely break down within a couple days.
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