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Rubber Egg

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Acids, such as vinegar, react and dissolve calcium carbonate, which is found in eggshells, to produce carbon dioxide gas and dissolved salt; a protein membrane around the egg remains, creating a springy feel. TV crafter Jim "Figgy" Noonan shares his educational how-to.

The Martha Stewart Show, January 2012 http://www.marthastewart.com/874976/rubber-egg

For added experimentation: Pour off the used vinegar, wash the container, and refill with fresh vinegar. Add the “rubber eggs” to the fresh vinegar and set aside. After about a week’s time, remove the egg from the vinegar and note how the size of the egg has changed.

Tip: This experiment can also be done with chicken bones. Follow the instructions as above, leaving the bones in the vinegar for 1 to 2 weeks. The calcium carbonate in the bones dissolves, leaving behind mostly collagen and other connective tissue that is flexible and rubbery.

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