* Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
* Vinegar contains acetic acid (CH3COOH).
* Acetic acid reacts with calcium carbonate in a chemical reaction called neutralization.
The reaction produces:
* Calcium acetate (Ca(CH3COO)2), which dissolves in water.
* Carbon dioxide (CO2), which you can observe as bubbles forming.
* Water (H2O).
The chemical equation for the reaction is:
2 CH3COOH (acetic acid) + CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) → Ca(CH3COO)2 (calcium acetate) + H2O (water) + CO2 (carbon dioxide)
In essence, the acetic acid in vinegar breaks down the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, leaving behind a dissolved calcium compound and releasing carbon dioxide gas.
