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Activity

Floating eggs

In this activity, students investigate water density by floating eggs in freshwater and saltwater.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • discuss the concept of density

  • discuss how salt increases the density of water

  • explain why an egg sinks in freshwater but floats when salt is added.

Ice cream containers, eggs and bowl of salt with spoon.

Equipment for experiment

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The equipment required for the floating egg activity includes: ice cream containers, eggs and salt.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Referencing Hub media

Download the Word file for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • extension idea.

Floating eggs

WORD•816.98 KB

Related content

Explore the big ideas that underpin floating and sinking in the article Building Science Concepts: Floating and sinking.

Read the articles Ocean salinity and Ocean density to learn about the vital role salinity and density play in ocean currents and heat circulation.

Activity ideas

Temperature, salinity and water density – use this activity to help your students visualise differences in water density.

Buoyancy in water – students make a Cartesian diver to demonstrate the relationship between volume, mass and density.

Investigating seawater – students investigate some of the properties of seawater.

Glossary

Published: 4 September 2008Updated: 22 January 2014
Referencing Hub articles

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