Name ________________________________ Date_________ Period 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Lab Partner_______________________
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION: OSMOSIS EGG LAB
In this investigation you will use a fresh egg to determine what happens in osmosis.
You will be measuring the amount of solution that passes through the membrane
lining the shell of the egg.
MATERIALS (per group): fresh egg in shell, masking tape, paper towels, 1-250 mL beaker, scale, corn
syrup, tap water, vinegar, and plastic wrap.
DAY 1
Hypothesis_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PROCEDURE:
1. Label the beaker with the names of your group members.
2. Weigh the egg and carefully place the egg in the beaker.
3. Pour in the vinegar completely submerging the egg. Make note of the total volume in the
beaker.
4. Put the beaker in the plastic tray and allow it to stand for 24 hours.
DAY 2
Hypothesis:______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PROCEDURE:
1. Observe and record what has happened to your egg in your data table.
2. Carefully remove your egg from the beaker, blot with paper towels and weigh it. Record
the weight in your data table.
3. Clean out your beaker with soap and water and place the egg back into the beaker.
4. Pour corn syrup into the beaker completely submerging the egg. Make note of the total volume in
the beaker in your data table.
5. Put the beaker in the plastic tray and allow it to stand for 24 hours.
DAY 3
Hypothesis:_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PROCEDURE:
1. Observe and record what has happened to your egg.
2. Carefully remove your egg from the beaker, blot with paper towels and weigh it. Record
the weight in your data table.
3. Clean out your beaker with soap and water and place the egg back into the beaker.
4. Pour tap water into the beaker completely submerging the egg. Make note of the total
volume in the beaker. In your data table.
5. Put the beaker in the plastic tray and allow it to stand for 24 hours.
DAY 4
PROCEDURE:
1. Remove the egg from the water and record your observations of its appearance in your data table.
2. Carefully remove your egg from the beaker, blot with paper towels and weigh it. Record
the weight in your data table.
3. Discard the egg in the garbage can.
4. Cleaned and put away your beaker.
5. Answer the analysis questions.
LAB WRITE-UP PORTION:
For this lab you will be creating a brief lab report. You will submit one report for both you and
your partner. You must type this report!
Your report should include -- Hypothesis statement for each solution (vinegar, corn syrup, and tap water).
 Data: Typed Data table including data and observations from each day.
 Analysis & application questions answered.
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
1. When the egg was placed in the corn syrup, in which direction did the water molecules move?
2. On what evidence do you base this?
3. How do you explain the volume of liquid remaining when the egg was removed from the syrup?
4. When the egg was placed in the water after being removed from the syrup, in which direction did the water
move?
5. Which solutions were hypotonic?
6. On what evidence do you base this?
7. Which solutions were hypertonic?
8. On what evidence do you base this?
APPLICATIONS: Using concepts developed from the experiment & based on the chapter,
Answer the questions of application.
1. Why do grocery store owners spray fresh fruits and vegetables with water?
2. Roads are sometimes salted to melt ice. What does this do to plants around the roadside and
why?
3. If a shipwrecked crew drinks sea water, they will probably die.
Why?
4. If a bowl of fresh strawberries is sprinkled with sugar, a few minutes later the berries will be
covered with juice. Why?