Why are eggs harder at the ends than sides?

That's a great observation! However, eggs aren't actually harder at the ends than the sides. This is a common misconception.

The feeling of an egg being harder at the ends comes from the shape and structure of the egg. Here's why:

* Egg Shape: Eggs are oval-shaped, with a more pointed end and a rounded end.

* Shell Thickness: The shell is thicker and more rigid at the pointed end. This helps protect the yolk and the developing chick during incubation.

* Air Cell: The pointed end also contains the air cell, which is a small pocket of air at the blunt end of the egg. This air cell expands as the egg gets older.

Therefore, when you press on an egg, the pointed end feels harder because the shell is thicker and more rigid there. The rounded end feels softer because the shell is thinner and more flexible.

The sides of the egg are also quite strong, just not as strong as the pointed end. They offer good protection for the yolk and developing chick as well.

So, it's not about the egg being harder at the ends, but rather the distribution of shell thickness and the presence of the air cell at the pointed end that creates the feeling of being harder.