Chemistry lessons don't have to be boring. With a couple of eggs and a little salt you can teach your child all about the concept of density. Science is everywhere and the ingredients for illustrating important scientific concepts are right in your very own kitchen!
What You Need:
- 2 eggs
- 2 clear glasses
- Measuring spoon
- Table salt
- Water
What You Do:
- Fill two glasses with water.
- In one of the glasses put in a teaspoon of salt.
- Put an egg in each of the glasses and see what happens.
- Have your child record the behavior of the eggs in the two glasses.
- Experiment with adding more salt to the salted glass.
What's Going On Here?
Density measures mass relative to the volume of a substance, which in this case is water. The water that we drink is less dense than an egg, so the egg sinks. But saltwater is more dense than regular water! If you add enough salt, the saltwater will be more dense than the egg, causing the egg to float instead of sink.
Related learning resources
Density of Salt Water
Worksheet
Density of Salt Water
Budding scientists will learn about the density of salt water and perform an experiment with food coloring, salt water, and fresh water.
4th grade
Science
Worksheet
Density of Coke and Diet Coke
Worksheet
Density of Coke and Diet Coke
Your kid may be surprised to learn that the density of coke and diet coke aren't the same!
4th grade
Science
Worksheet
Layered Liquids (A Study in Density)
Science project
Layered Liquids (A Study in Density)
... In this project we measure the densities of various liquids, and create a colorful demonstration....
4th grade
Science
Science project
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Science project
Whatever Floats Your Boat
This science fair project idea explores how the shape of a boat affects its density and how much weight it can float.
5th grade
Science
Science project
How Does Salinity and Temperature Affect the Density of Water?
Science project
How Does Salinity and Temperature Affect the Density of Water?
..., density of water, water density salinity, salinity of water, water temperature and density,...
4th grade
Science
Science project
Snow to Liquid Ratio
Science project
Snow to Liquid Ratio
Science fair project that examines the different types of precipitation, evaluates the density of snow and calculates the ratio of snow-to-liquid.
2nd grade
Science
Science project
Homemade Lava Lamp
Science project
Homemade Lava Lamp
This science fair project idea explores the relationship between oil and water in terms of density as well as hydrophilic/hydrophobic compounds.
4th grade
Science
Science project
Intro to H2O
Workbook
Intro to H2O
Full of exciting experiments, this workbook brings to life important concepts like water density, the water cycle, and the chemistry of water.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Workbook
Popcorn Pumice: Exploring Different Rock Densities
Science project
Popcorn Pumice: Exploring Different Rock Densities
...How does a difference in density affect something?...
3rd grade
Science
Science project
Do Different Types of Oil Mix or “Stack”?
Science project
Do Different Types of Oil Mix or “Stack”?
...You will learn about the density of liquids, and in this case, oil....
3rd grade
Science
Science project
Up Periscope or Down?
Science project
Up Periscope or Down?
...The objective of this science fair project is to investigate how a submarine sinks and surfaces by exploring the density of water and air....
4th grade
Science
Science project
Self-Inflating Balloons
Science project
Self-Inflating Balloons
...fluids, density, elementary school science fair project, middle school science fair project...
4th grade
Science
Science project
See this activity in a set:
10 Edible Science Experiments