How to Float an Egg in Salt Water

Normally, eggs don't float in water. If you place them in water they will sink to the bottom; unless they are old, that is. As an egg ages, the air cell inside becomes larger, which can make it buoyant. If you want to try a cool science experiment, you can make a fresh egg float in salt water. Amaze your family and friends!

Things You'll Need

• Egg
• Tall glass
• Water
• 6 tbsps. salt
• Long spoon

Instructions

1. Fill the glass about half-full with water.

2. Pour the salt into the glass. Mix the salt into the water with the spoon. Stir until the salt dissolves.

3. Slowly add more water to the glass until it's almost full. Do this carefully, so that the fresh tap water won't mix with the salt water in the glass.

4. Gently place the egg into the glass of fresh and salt water. Watch as the egg falls through the plain water at the top of the glass but floats in the salt water.

Tips & Warnings

• The egg floats in the salt water because salt water is denser than plain water.

References

• Make an egg float in salt water

Resources

• Density and Buoyancy: Making Eggs Float