Hands-on Activities

How can I make an egg float?

How can I make an egg float?

jundangoy - iStock

How can I make an egg float?

jundangoy - iStock

Earth Science,  Physics,  Science
4,  5,  6,  7,  8

How does this align with my curriculum?

BC 6 Science Grade 6 (June 2016) Big Idea: Newton’s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion.
NB 8 Science 8: Beyond Earth: Human presence in the solar system (2021) Laws of Motion
YT 6 Science Grade 6 (British Columbia, June 2016) Big Idea: Newton’s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion.
AB 4 Science 4 (2023) Energy: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy.
AB 8 Knowledge and Employability Science 8, 9 (revised 2009) Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter
AB 8 Science 7-8-9 (2003, updated 2014) Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter
NL 8 Grade 8 Science Unit 2: Fluids (revised 2010)
NU 8 Knowledge and Employability Science 8 (Alberta, Revised 2009) Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter
NU 8 Science 8 (Alberta, 2003, updated 2014) Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter
PE 8 Science Grade 8 (revised 2016) Unit 2: Fluids
QC Sec IV Applied Science and Technology The Material World
SK 8 Science Grade 8 (2009) Physical Science – Forces, Fluids, and Density (FD)

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In this challenge activity find out if you can get an egg to float. Learn how the density of matter affects the buoyancy of objects.

What You Need

  • Transparent container (at least 500 ml)
  • One whole uncooked egg
  • Spoon for stirring
  • 30 ml of salt (2 tablespoons)
  • 500 ml of warm water (2 cups)

Safety First!

Ask an adult to help you when working with hot water.

What To Do

  1. Place the egg in the container.
  2. Add 500 ml of warm water to the container
  3. Stir gently and observe the location of the egg in the container.
  4. Add salt crystals, stir to dissolve and then watch the egg. What do you observe?

Discovery

The egg rises due to a change in density (mass per unit of volume) of the water. A rock is very dense because of all of the billions of molecules that are packed tightly in a small amount of space. Water is not as dense because its molecules are not packed as tightly – there are fewer molecules in the same amount of space.

The egg is more dense then the water, so it sinks. However, when the salt crystals are added, you are adding more matter (salt molecules) to the water. The salt crystals dissolve and turn the water into a solution that is denser than the egg. This is why the egg floats.

The different densities of matter allow materials to be used in different ways. For instance, an anchor is made of dense iron so that it will sink to the bottom of a lake or ocean to hold a boat in place. On the other hand, life jackets are made of materials that are less dense than water and are used to help a person float.

Density is also very important for the proper functioning of the human body. For example, at high altitudes, such as on top of a mountain, it is harder for us to breath because the air is less dense. This means that the air has less molecules per unit of volume and therefore there is less oxygen in each lungful of air. This makes breathing difficult and will make your muscles tired more easily. Some people bring bottled air when climbing very high mountains such as Mount Everest to make sure they are breathing in enough oxygen.

  • Does the amount of salt needed to make the egg rise change with the size of the egg?
  • What happens if you use cold water instead of warm?
  • What happens if you use a hard-boiled egg instead of an uncooked egg?
  • Can you make the egg float just above the bottom but not at the surface of the water? If so, how does the amount of salt required to do this compare to the amount needed to get it to float at the surface?
  • Do you think it would be easier to float in the ocean or in a swimming pool? Try this out for yourself.

For more information on this topic check out these Let's Talk Science resources:

  • How much of an iceberg is on top of water? (Hands-on Activities) - Have you ever seen an iceberg up close? They can look pretty big! In this hands on activity find out just how much of an iceberg is below the surface. It might surprise you!
  • Why do ships float? (STEM in Context) - Have you ever been on a ship and wondered how you’re staying afloat? The answer is buoyancy!

What’s happening?

The egg rises due to a change in density (mass per unit of volume) of the water. A rock is very dense because of all of the billions of molecules that are packed tightly in a small amount of space. Water is not as dense because its molecules are not packed as tightly – there are fewer molecules in the same amount of space.

The egg is more dense then the water, so it sinks. However, when the salt crystals are added, you are adding more matter (salt molecules) to the water. The salt crystals dissolve and turn the water into a solution that is denser than the egg. This is why the egg floats.

Why does it matter?

The different densities of matter allow materials to be used in different ways. For instance, an anchor is made of dense iron so that it will sink to the bottom of a lake or ocean to hold a boat in place. On the other hand, life jackets are made of materials that are less dense than water and are used to help a person float.

Density is also very important for the proper functioning of the human body. For example, at high altitudes, such as on top of a mountain, it is harder for us to breath because the air is less dense. This means that the air has less molecules per unit of volume and therefore there is less oxygen in each lungful of air. This makes breathing difficult and will make your muscles tired more easily. Some people bring bottled air when climbing very high mountains such as Mount Everest to make sure they are breathing in enough oxygen.

Investigate further

  • Does the amount of salt needed to make the egg rise change with the size of the egg?
  • What happens if you use cold water instead of warm?
  • What happens if you use a hard-boiled egg instead of an uncooked egg?
  • Can you make the egg float just above the bottom but not at the surface of the water? If so, how does the amount of salt required to do this compare to the amount needed to get it to float at the surface?
  • Do you think it would be easier to float in the ocean or in a swimming pool? Try this out for yourself.

For more information on this topic check out these Let's Talk Science resources:

  • How much of an iceberg is on top of water? (Hands-on Activities) - Have you ever seen an iceberg up close? They can look pretty big! In this hands on activity find out just how much of an iceberg is below the surface. It might surprise you!
  • Why do ships float? (STEM in Context) - Have you ever been on a ship and wondered how you’re staying afloat? The answer is buoyancy!

Related Topics

Buoyancy
Gravity