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Apr
7
2020
 STEM Rubber Easter Eggsperiment

This is a simple STEM activity that demonstrates a fun chemical reaction. Your kids will be amazed when they drop this egg and it bounces!!

Ingredients needed:

Instructions:

  1. Place the raw egg carefully in the jar. Make sure you can get the egg easily in and out.
  2. Add white vinegar until the entire egg covered
  3. Add food coloring if you'd like the full Easter Egg experience.
  4. Let the egg sit in the vinegar for 2-5 days.
  5. Carefully remove egg from jar when most of the shell is off the egg.
  6. Rinse egg with water to get the rest of the shell off.
  7. Hold the egg above a plate and drop the egg about 2 inches above the surface. Then, try bouncing it from a higher and higher distance to see how the egg bounces.

 
STEM Observations
   
Day 1:
The shell of an egg is made of calcium carbonate. When you place the egg into the vinegar, you will see bubbles. This bubbling is the acid in the vinegar reacting with the calcium carbonate and producing carbon dioxide.  This chemical reaction happens when you surround the egg with vinegar and little bubble appear.
  
Day 2:   

After 24 hours, ask your child to observe the size of the egg. Did it change? You will also notice that the egg gets larger as it sits in the vinegar. That is because some of the vinegar is absorbed in the egg through its semi-permeable membrane!    This thin membrane is semi-permeable which allows the vinegar to pass through. causing the egg to grow in size as the egg absorbs the vinegar.

Day 3-7:   
Is there anything different about the eggshell? The eggshell will disappear more and more each day leaving a thin membrane of the egg.  Once egg shell disappears, remove from vinegar. Rinse with water. What does the texture of the egg feel like? Rubber?   Bounce the egg by holding it 1-2 inches above a surface and letting it go.  Hold the egg above a plate and drop the egg about 2 inches above the surface. Then, try bouncing it from a higher and high er distance to see how the egg bounces.
    
The egg will break eventually by bouncing it and handling it. Make a few eggs to extend the fun and experimenting.