How do you make a bouncing egg?

You can't actually make an egg bounce like a rubber ball. Eggs are fragile and will crack if dropped.

However, there's a fun science experiment that *appears* to make an egg bounce:

The "Bouncing Egg" Experiment

Materials:

* 1 raw egg

* White vinegar

Instructions:

1. Submerge the egg in vinegar: Place the egg in a jar or container and completely cover it with white vinegar.

2. Wait: Leave the egg in the vinegar for at least 24 hours, ideally 3-4 days.

3. Observe: You'll notice bubbles forming around the egg as the vinegar reacts with the eggshell.

4. Remove and rinse: After the waiting time, carefully remove the egg from the vinegar and rinse it thoroughly under running water. The shell will be very soft and rubbery.

5. Test the "bounce": Hold the egg gently and carefully drop it from a short height onto a soft surface (like a carpet or a pillow). It may appear to "bounce" slightly, but it will likely still crack.

Why does this happen?

Vinegar is acidic. The acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, dissolving it. This leaves behind a thin, rubbery membrane that can be surprisingly flexible.

Important Note: This experiment is more about learning about the properties of eggshells than creating a truly bouncing egg. The egg will still be fragile and can crack easily.

Safety Tip: Be careful when handling the egg after it's been in the vinegar, as it's very delicate.