The effect of acid on The effect of acid on
tooth decaytooth decay By Ernest Rutherford and Marie Curie
PurposePurpose The purpose of this experiment is to The purpose of this experiment is to
determine the effect of different determine the effect of different concentrations of vinegar on the concentrations of vinegar on the mass lost in human teeth.mass lost in human teeth.
Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods
3 styrofoam cups3 styrofoam cups waterwater 3 human teeth3 human teeth vinegarvinegar digital scaledigital scale
ResultsResults
Time (hours) Mass of tooth in water (g)
Mass of tooth in ½ water and ½ vinegar (g)
Mass of tooth in vinegar (g)
0 0.538 0.519 0.442
2 0.531 0.511 0.410
5 0.529 0.499 0.391
12 0.529 0.570 0.359
24 0.522 0.422 0.324
Table 1. Mass of teeth in different concentrations of vinegar over 24 hours.
ResultsResults
Time (hours) Total mass percentage lost in water (%)
Total mass percentage lost in ½ vinegar ½ water (%)
Total mass percentage lost in vinegar (%)
24 3 14 31
Table 2. Percentage of tooth mass lost after a 24 hr period in different concentrations of vinegar.
Qualitative ObservationsQualitative Observations
Vinegar
- Tooth Decay
- Shriveled
- Yellow
- Cracked
Water
- Normal colour
- Smooth
- No damage
½ Vinegar ½ Water
- Bright White
- Shriveled
- Bumpy
- Chipped
Research SourcesResearch Sources
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3235/acetic-acid-CH3COOH - William H. Brown (Proffessor in Chemistry, Beloit College)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/basics/causes/con-20030076 - Roger W. Harms M.D. (Director of Mayo Clinic)
Explanation of ResultsExplanation of Results
Independent variable – What is vinegar?Independent variable – What is vinegar?
Acetic acidAcetic acid
moleculemoleculeWaterWater
moleculemolecule
Explanation of ResultsExplanation of Results
Ca5(PO4)3OH(s) + H+(aq) → Ca5(PO4)3+(aq) + H2O(ℓ)
HydroxylapatiteHydroxylapatite
ImplicationsImplications
ACID
Thank You!Thank You!