Ever wondered why some things float in water while others sink? Let’s find out with a cool experiment that makes an egg float! Get ready to dive into the world of density and learn some awesome science facts along the way. Here’s how you can do it at home with just a few simple items.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 fresh egg
- A tall glass
- Water
- Salt (about 6 tablespoons)
- A spoon for stirring
Instructions:
- Fill the Glass Halfway: Pour water into the glass until it’s about half full.
- Add Salt to the Water: Stir in about 6 tablespoons of salt. Keep stirring until the salt dissolves completely.
- Top Up with Plain Water: Slowly and carefully, pour plain water on top of the salty water until the glass is nearly full. Try not to mix the two layers.
- Lower the Egg: Gently place the egg into the glass. Watch closely and see what happens!
What’s Happening?
Now, let’s break down the science behind this fascinating experiment!
- Density Matters: Everything you see around you is made up of tiny particles called molecules. Some things, like rocks, have molecules packed closely together, making them dense. Water molecules are less tightly packed, so water is less dense than a rock, which is why rocks sink.
- Salt Changes the Game: When you add salt to the water, it increases the number of molecules in the same space. This makes the water denser. The more salt you add, the denser the water becomes.
- The Egg’s Journey: A fresh egg is denser than plain water, which is why it sinks. But when it reaches the saltwater layer, which is denser than the egg, it floats! If you’ve carefully poured the plain water, the egg will stay suspended between the two layers, floating in the middle of the glass like magic.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the Dead Sea is so salty that people can float in it without any effort? It’s because the high salt content makes the water super dense, just like in our experiment!
Encouragement to Explore:
Why not try experimenting with different amounts of salt or use other objects like a small potato or a grape? See if they float or sink and figure out why. You can even try warm water versus cold water to see if temperature changes anything!
Remember, science is all about curiosity and discovery. Keep experimenting, and who knows what amazing things you’ll learn next!