Egg Drop Density
Background Information: Objects float or sink because of their density. Density is the
ratio of an object’s mass to its volume. When we think about how the earth is divided,
we can relate it back to density. The earth is divided into different layers: crust, mantle,
outer core, inner core. This is why the lithosphere is below the hydrosphere and the
hydrosphere is below the atmosphere. What if the atmosphere was denser than the
hydrosphere? How would the world be different?
Liquids have different densities, which causes them to separate from each other when
poured into the same container. For example, if you don’t shake the Italian dressing
before putting it onto your salad, you won’t get all the different liquids. You would only
get the less dense liquid at the top. Water has a density of 1 g/cm , which is also known
as 1 g/mL. Objects and liquids more dense than water will sink to the bottom, while
those that are less dense will float on top of the water.
Purpose: To observe the density of different liquids by dropping an egg in each liquid.
Problem:
Hypothesis:
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Materials: 150mL of oil, water, and pancake syrup, egg, beakers (3)
Procedure:
1. Pour 150 mL of water into beaker #1, 150 mL of oil into beaker #2, and 150 mL of
pancake syrup in beaker #3.
2. Gently place the egg into beaker #1 and record your observations.
3. Take the egg out and rinse it off.
4. Gently place the egg into beaker #2 and record your observations.
5. Take the egg out and rinse it off.
6. Gently place the egg into beaker #3 and record your observations.
7. Take the egg out and rinse it off.
Data: Draw where the egg is positioned in each beaker. Use color and labels!
Beaker #1
Beaker #2
Beaker #3
Analysis and Conclusion Questions:
1. Based on your observations, which liquid is: The most dense?
The lease dense?
2. If the three liquids were poured into the same beaker, what do you think the order would be
from top (least dense) to bottom (most dense)? Why?
3. Where do you think the egg would land if placed in the layered liquids? Why?
4. Based on your observations, what do you think happens to the density of the earth’s layers as
you go further towards the center?
5. Which layer of the earth do you think is the least dense? Why?
6. Using the diagram in on the baord, between what two layers of the earth would the egg
settle if it has a density of 8.2 g/cm ?
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