Chalk (broken into small pieces, about an inch long)
Cups (one for water, one for vinegar)
Water
Vinegar
Recording Sheets (for noting observations)
Prepare the Experiment:
Break the chalk into small pieces, approximately one inch in length.
Set Up the Cups:
Fill one cup with water and another cup with vinegar.
Add the Chalk:
Place a piece of chalk into each cup (one piece in the water cup, one piece in the vinegar cup).
Observe the Reactions:
Allow the chalk pieces to sit in the liquids for a few minutes. Observe any changes in the chalk, such as dissolution or surface changes.
Record Observations:
Have students record their observations on the provided sheet, noting the differences in how the chalk weathers in water versus vinegar. Look for indentations or changes in the chalk’s texture.
Discussion:
Discuss with students how the vinegar simulates a more acidic environment, leading to faster chemical weathering compared to water. Explore how this experiment demonstrates the effects of chemical weathering.
Reflection:
Ask students what they learned about chemical weathering and how the experiment helped them understand the effects of different substances on chalk.