Egg In Vinegar Experiment

Have you ever heard of a rubber egg or a naked egg? Do you think eggs can bounce? How does an egg become naked and what happens to its shell? Find out by performing this simple egg in vinegar experiment. The chemical reactions between acids and bases are quite difficult for kids to grasp. But the egg in vinegar experiment makes it easier for kids to understand acid-base reactions and osmosis.

Egg in Vinegar

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Conducting simple science experiments for kids at home is a great way to keep children engaged in learning science concepts.

Here is a step-by-step guide to do the egg in vinegar experiment with your kids:

What You Need For The Egg In Vinegar Experiment 

The egg in vinegar experiment is a very simple experiment that only needs three materials. All of these are easily available and inexpensive too.  

  • Raw eggs
  • Vinegar
  • Red, blue and green food coloring
  • 3 mason jars or any clear, glass jar

And you need a lot of patience because the egg in vinegar experiment takes a lot of time, a week to be exact.

Steps To Set-Up The Egg in Vinegar Experiment

Follow these steps to perform the rubber egg experiment:

  • Step 1: Fill up the three jars with vinegar.
  • Step 2: Put 2 drops of red food coloring in the first jar. Add 2 drops of blue food coloring to the second jar and 2 drops of green food coloring to the third jar. Cover and shake the jar to ensure the food color is completely mixed with the vinegar.
  • Step 3: To make rubber eggs using the egg in vinegar experiment, carefully place an egg in each of the 3 jars.
  • Step 4: Wait patiently. After some time, you’ll notice bubbles forming on the eggshell. This happens because the acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell. This reaction produces a gas called carbon dioxide.
  • Step 5: After 2 days, remove the eggs from the colored vinegar solution. It might have a thin layer of brown scum on it, just rinse it off under cold water.
  • Step 6: Drain the old vinegar and clean the jar. Place the egg back in the jar and fill the jar with vinegar. Leave the jar undisturbed for 1 week.
  • Step 7: After 7 days, drain the jar and rinse the egg under cold water. You’ll notice that the hard eggshell is gone and the egg white yolk is surrounded by a thin, rubbery membrane.

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Egg In Vinegar Experiment Results

As the eggs sit in the vinegar, it gets larger and the eggshell dissolves, making it rubbery and bouncy. You can bend, squeeze and even bounce this rubber egg! 

The Science Behind The Egg In Vinegar Experiment

  • What happened to make the egg soft, rubbery and bouncy? Eggshells are made up of a mineral called calcium carbonate. When you add the egg to the vinegar, the acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, which is a base. This chemical reaction between the calcium carbonate and the vinegar produces a gas called carbon dioxide ( CO2). This reaction also dissolves the eggshell leaving a soft, squishy, and bouncy rubber egg!
  • But, how did the egg get bigger? As the egg sits in the vinegar, some of the water in the vinegar is absorbed through the egg’s membrane. This process, which is called osmosis occurs to balance the concentration of water on both sides of the membrane. This flow of water through the membrane increased the size of the naked egg.

What Else Do You Observe In This Osmosis Egg Experiment?

The bouncy egg experiment will ensure your kids have a lot of fun. Ask them to see if they can observe anything else in this naked egg experiment. Here are some fun things you can try with the bouncy egg.

  • Magic Glowing Egg: Put on a flashlight and hold up the egg to the light. What do you see? You’ll notice that the egg is translucent and glows in the light. 
  • How high can it bounce? Ask them to check if they can gently squeeze the egg and see how high they can bounce them. But beware, this could get very messy! 
  • Is your bouncy egg needle proof? What happens when you pierce the egg with a needle? Will it burst? Ask your child to perform this particular experiment inside a plastic tub to make cleaning up easier. Ask your child to note down their observations and discuss them.

Why You Should Try The Egg In Vinegar Experiment

Egg in vinegar experiment is a simple and easy experiment for kids to do at home. Eggs are something we use every day. From scrambled eggs, omelets, cookies, and cake to Easter eggs, you’ll find eggs everywhere. And you can use the same egg for an easy science experiment that will blow your kid’s mind! 

Conduct An Interactive Session With Your Kid After The Naked Egg Experiment

Help your child understand the science behind the bouncy egg experiment by asking them some leading questions. Give them a few hints to help them understand the concept.

Here are a few questions to help you get started:

  • Does the egg feel hard or soft?
  • Do you notice any difference between this egg and a regular egg?
  • What do you think happened to the egg when it was covered with vinegar?
  • Did you learn anything new from conducting the egg in vinegar experiment?

Learning science should be fun, easy, and exciting. Experiments like the egg in vinegar experiment make learning science a wonderful experience. Boost your little scientist’s learning with simple and fun science experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions on Egg In Vinegar Experiment

What are the materials required for Egg In Vinegar Experiment?

The materials required for Egg In Vinegar Experiment are clear mason jars or any glass clear jar, gree, blue and red food coloring solution, raw eggs, and vinegar.

What do kids learn from Egg In Vinegar Experiment?

Kids learn from the Egg In Vinegar Experiment is about how to make the eggs rubbery and soft. What science is used to make an egg bouncy? And how did the eggs get larger?