Alpha science classroom：egg in vinegar experiment

Every time children eat eggs, they are always curious about the secret of eggs, but they do not know the scientific knowledge contained in eggs. Alpha science toys tell children eggs are essentially one big cell, much bigger than the tiny cells that make up our bodies. With this cell unit study on cells, we examined raw eggs to learn about their parts. This was a great understanding of the concept of the cell, but Alpha science classroom decided to take our study of the egg up a notch. Alpha will make fun of naked eggs by doing an egg in vinegar experiment. To start off our unit study we discussed cells and how they make up all living things. Alpha decided to bring some chemistry science experiment to our biology lesson and do an egg in vinegar experiment with children to remove the shell of a raw egg with a chemical reaction, leaving us with a naked egg.

Alpha science classroom: What you will need to make the egg in vinegar experiment

• Eggs

• Vinegar

• Mason Jars (other wide mouth jars or plastic cups work too)

• Food Colouring

• Large plates or bowls

• Extra items you may want available for further investigations:

• Magnifying glass

• Kitchen scale

• Fabric tape measure

• Ruler

• Towels or protective covering for the area while exploring with the naked eggs

Alpha science classroom: the steps to do egg in vinegar experiment

First, children can start to test and make sure their eggs will easily fit into (and out once enlarged) easily. I recommend using wide mouth mason jars for at least one of the eggs so kids can really see the reaction. But if you want to do lots of eggs, you can do them in large plastic cups or even do big batches in large bowls.

Second, set the egg carefully in the container, pour vinegar over the egg until it is submerged. The egg may float, this is normal. Add a little food coloring to the vinegar. Now let it sit for 24 hours.

Third, bubbles form immediately on the shell as the chemical reaction begins. These carbon dioxide bubbles are formed by the vinegar reacting to the calcium in the eggshell.

Fourth, after 24 hours drain off the liquid and replace it with fresh vinegar. You can also add more food coloring if you like. It is very important to replace the vinegar to ensure there is enough acid to finish the chemical reaction.

Fifth, after another 24 hours (2 days in total) your naked eggs should be ready! Carefully drain off the liquid and rinse your eggs under a gentle stream of water. The membrane is still quite thin and fragile. So carefully take and put it in a place that is easy to clean!

Finally, dying the egg makes it much easier to see all these parts of the egg compared to when we just cracked open a raw egg. Now kids can see the cells and structures more clearly.

Alpha science toys tell children to put an egg in a separate glass. Cover the egg with vinegar. Allow the egg to sit in the vinegar for 24 hours. After 24 hours, pour out the vinegar and take the egg out of the glass. Drop the egg into the sink from a height of 3 inches. What happens? Continue dropping the egg from different heights (all drops should be done over the sink). What is the greatest height that you can drop the egg from before the egg goes splat? Can you measure the height of the bounces?

Alpha science classroom：the result of egg in vinegar experiment

Children made eggs that look translucent because the hard shell has disappeared. The only part left is a membrane called a semi-permeable membrane. Children noticed the eggs were larger than before they placed them in the vinegar. This is why we recommend using a wide mouth jar. Otherwise, your naked egg could get stuck in the jar! But why does this happen? It’s because of a process called osmosis.

Alpha science classroom: The science of naked eggs

Let’s start with the bubbles Alpha science toys and children saw forming on the shell. The bubbles are carbon dioxide (CO2). Vinegar is an acid called acetic acid (CH3COOH), and white vinegar is usually about 4% acetic acid and 96% water. Eggshells are made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell to produce calcium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide so children can see bubbles on the surface of the shell.

The chemical reaction looks like this . . .

2 CH3COOH + CaCO3 = Ca(CH3COO)2 + H2O + CO2

Acetic acid + Calcium carbonate = Calcium acetate + Water + Carbon dioxide

Do you understand, children? Today, the Alpha Science classroom naked egg science experiment was completed. Do kids want to explore more chemistry science experiment knowledge? Come to Alpha Science Toys to choose your favorite science experiment toy kits! Children can learn more cool scientific knowledge by doing interesting science experiment activities, and make their life and learning more interesting.