An egg sinks in freshwater because it is denser than the freshwater.
Density, in simple terms, refers to how much "stuff" is packed into a given space. If an object is denser than water, it will sink. Conversely, if it's less dense, it will float.
Here's a breakdown:
- Density Comparison: A fresh egg's density (mass per unit volume) is greater than the density of freshwater.
- Buoyancy: Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. For an object to float, the buoyant force must be equal to or greater than the object's weight. Because the egg is denser than the water, the buoyant force is not sufficient to counteract the egg's weight, causing it to sink.
You can observe this principle in action by adding salt to the water. As you increase the salt concentration, the water becomes denser. Eventually, the saltwater solution becomes denser than the egg, and the egg will float. This demonstrates that whether an egg sinks or floats depends on the density relationship between the egg and the surrounding liquid.
