Weigh a clean, dry ramekin or dish with a lid, to the nearest 0.01 g. Record this value on Line 1 in the Data Table. Weigh approximately 5.00 g of the salt, sand, and chalk mixture into the ramekin. Reweigh the dish, mixture, and lid. Record this value on Line 2 in the Data Table.

Add 20.0 mL of water into the dish. Carefully stir, taking care not to spill the contents.

After allowing the solids to settle, carefully decant as much water as possible, without spilling the solids in the bottom.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 three more times.

Place the lid on top of the ramekin as a cover, and place the assembly in the oven set on low heat.

Carefully heat the dish until the water has evaporated.

Allow the dish and contents to cool, then weigh the dish and lid. Record this value on Line 4 in the Data Table.

Slowly add 20.0 mL of acetic acid to the dish. It is recommended that an eyedropper or pipette be used to add small amounts of acetic acid at a time. Addition of acetic acid to the CaCO3-SiO2 mixture will cause the mixture to bubble.