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Bouncy Egg

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Greater than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Can you make an egg bounce? We all know eggshells are very fragile, but through some scientific methods, we can make the shell disappear and transform the egg into something elastic. You can conduct this simple chemistry experiment right in your kitchen. The process of dissolving the eggshell is fascinating - get ready to witness the magical moment of a bouncing egg!

Materials Needed

Eggs
White vinegar
Two glass cups
Food colouring
Stirring rod

Arranged on a light woodgrain table are items for an activity, likely egg dyeing. A cardboard egg carton holds a few white and light brown eggs. A clear glass filled with water sits behind the egg carton, along with two empty clear glasses. Two small bottles containing blue and red liquid dye are positioned to the right of the glasses. A small wooden craft stick lies flat beside the dye bottles, probably for stirring. The setup suggests preparations for an experiment or craft involving coloring the eggs.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Pour white vinegar into both glass cups.

Water is being poured from a clear glass beaker into a clear glass on a light woodgrain table. Another glass with water already in it sits next to the glass being filled. The focus is on the action of pouring the water.

Step 2

Add different food colourings to each glass cup and stir well with the stirring rod.

On a light woodgrain surface, two clear glasses contain water. The glass on the left has red dye swirling in it, while a hand is adding blue dye from a small bottle to the glass on the right. The blue dye is visible as a concentrated blob, not yet fully dispersed in the water. This image likely illustrates a color mixing experiment or the process of preparing dye for another purpose.

Step 3

Now place the eggs into the mixed vinegar solution.

Two clear glasses sit on a light woodgrain table. The glass on the left contains a pink liquid and a submerged egg. The glass on the right holds bright blue liquid, and a hand is placing another egg into the blue dye. This image captures the process of dyeing Easter eggs.

Step 4

Observe carefully what happens to the eggshell when it meets the vinegar.

Two clear glasses containing colored water and eggs sit on a light wooden table. One glass holds pink liquid and an egg, while the other contains blue liquid and an egg. Small bubbles cling to the surfaces of both eggs, suggesting a recent immersion or a reaction taking place. This image likely depicts an experiment or demonstration, possibly related to egg dyeing or density.

Step 5

After 24 hours, remove the eggs from the cups and carefully wash them clean.

Two dyed eggs rest on a light woodgrain surface. The egg on the left is a vibrant teal or turquoise, while the egg on the right is a light peach or coral color. Both eggs appear slightly translucent, revealing a hint of the yolk inside. The image showcases the results of an egg dyeing process.

Step 6

The eggs that were soaked in vinegar will now be soft and bouncy. Try gently dropping them on the table to see what happens. Be careful not to throw them too hard!

Two hands hold a small, peach-colored ball and a teal-colored ball. The hands gently squeeze both balls, demonstrating their squishy or flexible texture. The balls appear to be made of a soft, rubbery, or gel-like material. The teal ball is then released and bounces slightly on a light wooden surface. The video showcases the tactile properties of two colorful, bouncy balls.

The Science Behind It:

Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate, which is the key component that makes them hard. When an egg is placed in white vinegar, the acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate, producing carbon dioxide gas - those are the small bubbles you see. As the reaction continues, the hard shell dissolves, leaving only the thin egg membrane. This membrane is surprisingly tough, making the egg soft and elastic. The egg can bounce when dropped from a small height.

Try this: What's the highest point you can drop the egg from while keeping it intact?

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