The Incredible, Edible, Floating Egg!

Welcome to the first in several video editions of the Practical Science column.

This video demonstrates, step-by-step, a family-friendly science experiment, called "The Incredible, Edible, Floating Egg!"

If parents are looking for an alternative to TV or video games, this experiment is a fun, easy, cheap and interactive way to turn an uneventful day into a fun and educational one.

Even more fun and excitement can be added by not revealing the answers and explanations of the experiment until afterward so, together, you and your children may discuss the possibilities and factors of your findings!

And, as always with any home-science experiment, please be sure parental supervision is involved with all steps.

---

Here's how to make an egg float:

Items needed:

• One Egg
• Water
• Salt
• Tall drinking glass

Instructions:

1. Pour water into the glass halfway.

2. Insert and stir approximately 6 tablespoons of salt.

3. Fill the rest of the glass with regular tap water. (Be careful not to move the glass around.)

4. Slowly and gently lower the egg into the water, and observe.

Why the experiment works:

Salt water is more dense than regular water. This is why the egg is floating. The egg is actually floating on top of the denser salt water! If you are experiencing difficulty, be very careful not to disturb the mixture of water and salt before adding additional water.

---

This experiement was inspired by the Science Kids website.

If you have a science experiment you'd like to share and see turned into a Practical Science experiment video, e-mail gerrydungan@patch.com.