Create A Naked Egg Science Activity For Kids

October 16, 2017

Create A Naked Egg Science Activity For Kids

This is a classic experiment. Perhaps you have done it before. It is great for Halloween and Easter. Anything slimy for Halloween is fantastic. Always keep your hands away from your face when working with raw eggs. This is always great for the science fair too.

Supplies:

Raw Egg in Shell

Vinegar

Jar

Procedures

1. Carefully place the whole egg in the jar.

2. Pour enough vinegar into the jar so it completely covers the egg.

3. Let the jar sit for 24 hours. (Do not seal the jar with a lid because gas will be produced.) You can put it in the refrigerator.

4. Carefully drain the vinegar. Add fresh vinegar and let sit for 1-7 days until the shell is gone. I find it doesn't take the full 7 days. ( 3 or 4 )

5. Take out the egg. The egg will be very soft. Rinse off any eggshell that is left.

6. You now have the membrane and the raw egg inside. Can you see the yolk?

What is Happening?

The vinegar is acetic acid. The eggshell is made of calcium carbonate. The vinegar breaks down the calcium carbonate. Did you see bubbles in the jar? The vinegar does not react with the egg's membrane, so you are able to see into the egg. The egg will swell because the membrane is semi-permeable. That means vinegar is inside the egg. This reaction is similar to what too much sugar can do to the coating on your teeth.

Try with a hard-boiled egg or with different types of vinegar. Will Brown eggs do the same thing?

Here is a great link from Imagination Station. http://imaginationstationtoledo.org/content/2011/04/how-to-make-a-naked-egg/

We love this video from the Imagination Station. They really take it up a notch. It is a great watch. Give some of them a try.