Bending a Chicken Bone Science Experiment

This fun and exciting bending a chicken bone experiment is a great way for kids to learn about bones and calcium.

Check out the list of materials that we use with this activity.

Bending a Chicken Bone Experiment

This is a fun experiment for kids to do, though it does take some time as you have to sit and wait for the vinegar to work.

All you need is:

• a chicken bone
• large jar or cup
• vinegar

It is quite an easy experiment too. All you have to do is:

• Wash the chicken bone to remove all the meat. You could use either a leg bone or the wish bone. Just keep in mind that the thicker the bone is, it may take a little longer for it to work.
• Look and feel the chicken bone and try to gently bend it. The bone should be hard because it has calcium in it.
• Place the  bone in the jar and cover with vinegar.

• Let it sit for 3 days and then remove the bone.
• Rinse the bone and try to bend it. It should feel rubbery and bend quite easily now that all the calcium has been taken out of it.

How does this work?

Vinegar is a mild acid that is able to dissolve away the calcium from the bone. When the bone has calcium it is nice and strong, without the calcium it is soft.

I have a Science Experiment Activity Sheet if you wish to write up this science experiment.  You can download it for free by clicking the link below.

Science Experiment Worksheet

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Bending a Chicken Bone Experiment

S Jones

This fun and exciting bending a chicken bone experiment is a great way for kids to learn about bones and calcium.

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Supplies

  

• chicken bone
• large jar or cup
• white vinegar

Instructions

 

• Wash the chicken bone to remove all the meat.
• Look and feel the chicken bone and try to gently bend it. The bone should be hard because it has calcium in it.
• Place the bone in the jar and cover with vinegar.
• Let it sit for 3 days and then remove the bone.
• Rinse the bone and try to bend it. It should feel rubbery and bend quite easily now that all the calcium has been taken out of it.
• How does this work?

  Vinegar is a mild acid that is able to dissolve away the calcium from the bone. When the bone has calcium it is nice and strong, without the calcium it is soft.

Keyword Experiment, Science

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