Hooked on Science: Sinkhole science

Do you ever wonder how sinkholes form? Discover how by using a few ingredients around the house.

Materials

* Vinegar

* Limestone rock

* Transparent glass

Instructions

STEP 1: Fill the transparent glass half way with vinegar.

STEP 2: Drop the limestone rock into the transparent glass and observe.

Explanation

The vinegar, an acid, dissolves the limestone rock. You can see this happening through the transparent glass. The vinegar represents the rain, which becomes acidic as it falls through the atmosphere and absorbs carbon dioxide. As the slightly acidic rain eventually reaches the layer of limestone, it dissolves the limestone. Over a period of time, the limestone becomes weak and a sinkhole forms.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.