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How To Make A Bouncy Egg

This is a simple experiment to complete with your scouts of all ages.

Items needed:

  • One Egg

  • Vinegar

  • Mason Jar with Lid

The Steps:

  1. Place your fresh egg into the mason jar. Shell and all. Make sure that there are no cracks within the shell.

  2. Fill your mason jar with vinegar until your egg is completely submerged and place the lid on to avoid spills.

  3. Leave your egg in the mason jar for 3 days

  4. After the 3 days, carefully remove your egg. (warning, the egg is still raw on the inside and will ooze everywhere if the protective membrane is punctured.

How does this work?!

When submerged in the vinegar, the egg’s shell begins to dissolve leaving only the protective membrane to hold in the yoke and whites. Eggshells contain calcium carbonate, which reacts with an acid in vinegar called acetic acid. The acetic acid breaks up the calcium and carbonate, dissolving the shell. While the calcium floats away, the carbonate reacts with the acetic acid to create carbon dioxide. This is why you see bubbles on and around the eggs.