Cells are the building blocks of life. The egg is a large, tactile example of a cell. For curious kids, this science project can help them understand and identify the parts of a cell. It can also teach kids how to know more about water movement.
Vinegar is the catalyst in this project. The pH level of vinegar used here is about 2.6. The solution is 5% to 8% acetic acid in water. This dilution makes the acid weak, which can break down the eggshell’s semi-permeable membrane. Osmosis allows the egg to absorb the surrounding liquid. The egg will begin to swell. It will then become more rubbery and less fragile.
What you need:
- Paper towel
- Raw egg
- Jar or a tall glass
- Spoon or tongs
- Vinegar
How to do it:
- Place your egg in the jar or glass of vinegar as gently as possible with the use of a spoon or tongs. Use enough vinegar to cover the eggs.
- After 15 minutes, the vinegar will start to give off carbon dioxide bubbles. This is from the breakdown of the calcium carbonate of the eggshell.
- Cover your jar or glass to reduce the smell.
- After 8 hours, the egg will start to spin because of the gas release from the eggshell. It will look like it is dancing.
- After 3 days, the egg will be completely naked. Parts of the eggshell will crack and then dissolve in the acid in two days. All that will be left is an egg membrane surrounding the egg.