INTRODUCTION Density refers to the amount of matter contained in a given space or volume.

When theres more amount of matter in a given space or volume, the object is then considered denser and at the same time heavier. Density depends on how closely spaced the atoms of a substance are as well as on the mass of each atom. This makes density a physical property of the substance. Since density dependent on both mass and volume, it can change when either one of these variables changes.

OBJECTIVE To study the concept of density through demonstrations and hands-on lab activities. We will visualize and learn what density is, what factors control density, and why density is important.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Carefully when handle the egg

MATERIALS For the Salt Water Egg experiment you will need the following materials:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Salt Three beakers Tablespoon Tap water Three raw eggs

Figure 1. Materials

METHODS 1. Fill the three beakers (label A,B and C) with tap water. 2. Add about 6 tablespoons of salt in beaker B and stir it well with a tablespoon until the salt has completely dissolved in the water. 3. Add about 12 tablespoons of salt in beaker C and stir it well with a tablespoon until the salt has completely dissolved in the water. 4. Place one egg in each of the beaker and observe which one of the eggs float in the beaker and which one sinks.

RESULTS Beaker Amount of salt (tablespoon) A B C Observation Interpretation

EXPECTED RESULTS Beaker Amount of salt (tablespoon) A 0 The egg is sink The egg is denser then tap water B 6 The egg float on the middle The saltwater is denser of the amount of saltwater than egg but the egg is only in the middle of Observation Interpretation

beaker. C 12 The egg float on the top of The saltwater is denser the saltwater than egg. When the egg float too high, its mean that the concentration of solution is greater.

DISCUSSION In the Saltwater Egg experiment, we can observe that the egg placed in saltwater floated and the one in tap water didnt. This is because saltwater is denser than tap water, thus the egg does not end up sinking like it usually does.

CONCLUSION The egg will normally sink in tap water. However, by adding salts we are changing the density of the water. By changing the water's density we can either make the egg float or submerge. When the egg floats, the water density is more than the egg while when the egg is submerged, then we have made the water dense enough to submerge the egg, but not make it float.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the density of water? The density of liquid water is normally given as 1000 kg/m 3 or 1 g/cm3 as a very accurate estimate, but often ranges slightly below this value, depending on temperature. The density of solid water is normally given as just over 91% of this; a common given value is 9.17 g/cm, or 9170 kg/m3.

2. Why eggs float or sink? When salt is added and dissolved in water, it breaks down into ions that are then attracted to the water molecules. This attraction causes them to bind tightly, increasing the amount of matter per volume (density). Instead of just having the molecules hydrogen and oxygen in the water, sodium and chlorine joins the equation (since salt is made up of sodium and chlorine particles). Saltwater now has more particles in it compared to the ordinary tap water we started with. This is why saltwater is denser than tap water. Thus, egg float in the presence of salt in tap water.

3. Why does adding salt to water increase its density? Density is the mass per unit volume. Therefore, adding salt increases the mass of the water by a larger scale than it does the volume of the water. Actually when you add salt to the same volume of water the mas of the water has a noticeable increase, where as the volume appears to the same ( the volume does increase; however the change is so small that it is unnoticeable ,thus we say it stays the same). So a larger mass divided by the same volume gives you an increase in density.

REFERENCES
1. 2. 3. 4. http://www.experiment-resources.com/salt-water-egg-experiment.html http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair projects/project_ideas/OceanSci_p003.shtml http://www.ehow.com/about_5127458_density-egg.html http://sciencesquad.questacon.edu.au/activities/suspended_egg.html