Expert: Walter Hintz - 5/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: I just finished a science experiment in which I put chicken bones in various liquids for a week. I need "research" so I need to know something about what happens when a bone is dissolved. Why certain liquids dissolve bones etc. The liquids were: Coke, Coke Zero, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Water and Bleach. Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Katie
Bone is made up of two main components: A hard calcium compound called hydroxtapetite an fibrous proteins. The hydroxyapetite protects the bone from crushing and the protein gives bone some flexibility. You put the bones in two acids: coke with carbonic acid and vinegar with acetic acids. The acids dissolve the calcium and you should be able to bend the bones. Is this what happened?. You will have to tell me the result of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) on the bones before I can comment.
 Incidentally if you subject the bones to a high heat in a oven the proteins are oxidized leaving the calcium and the bone is easily broken

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QUESTION: The result of the bleach was that the bone was extremely brittle and it crumbled under minute pressure. And did the citric acid from the lemons have the same effect on the bones as the acetic acid for the same reason? Why is coke considered so acidic when it didn't even make a difference to the bone? You are so helpful, Thank you!

Answer
Hello again katie from Ohio USA
It looks like the Bleach affected both the calcium compound and the protein.
Citric acid and acetic acids are stronger acids then H2CO3 in colas. If the bones were left longer in the coke they would most likely be affected however