The use of thermoanalytical data in sample preparation is described as a tool to catch the students' attention to some details that can simplify both the analysis and the analytical procedure. In this case, the thermal decomposition of eggshells was first investigated by thermogravimetry (TGA). Although the classical procedures suggest long exposure to high temperatures, the TGA data showed that the decomposition of organic matter takes place immediately when the sample is heated up to 800 °C under air atmosphere. After decomposition, the calcium content was determined by flame atomic emission photometry and compared with the results obtained using classical volumetric titration with EDTA.
thermogravimetry; flame atomic emission photometry; sample preparation
