Check out this awesome experiment about density and the magic behind the egg!
Materials:
Cup, egg, water, 2 cups salt, and a spoon
Time Estimated:
5-10 minutes
Directions:
Fill glass halfway with water.
Place an egg in the glass of water and see if it sinks or floats. If it floats, the egg is bad! Try a different egg.
Once you have found a good egg, place it in the water. It should sink.
Add salt. Add a little at a time until the egg floats!
Slowly add more water. If you go slowly enough, the egg will float between the fresh and saltwater!
Think Like A Scientist!
What if we use sugar instead of salt? Will it work? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!
What if we use something besides an egg? Test something else out and see what happens!
How It Works:
The floating egg experiment works because of something called density. Density is the measurement of how compact a substance is - how much of it fits in a certain amount of space.
The egg is denser than the freshwater (more molecules per square inch), which causes it to sink. When you start dissolve salt in the water, this increases the density (by adding more molecules per square inch). Eventually, the water becomes denser than the egg causing the egg to float. When you carefully add fresh water again, this freshwater is less dense than the saltwater so it floats right on top!
Looking for more fun at home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities!
