Question

Explain why a fresh egg sinks in freshwater but floats in a brine solution.

Answer 1

1. For a body to float in a fluid, the buoyant force acting on the body in the upward direction must be greater than the weight of the body acting in the downward direction.
2. Buoyant force acting on a body is directly proportional to the density of the fluid.
3. The density of the fresh water is less than the density of the brine solution because the brine solution contains dissolved salt which increases its density.
4. When a fresh egg is placed in freshwater, the egg sinks because the weight of the egg exceeds the buoyant force on the egg.
5. When a fresh egg is placed in a brine solution, the egg floats because the buoyant force on the egg is more than the weight of the egg

From the above explanation, it is clear that a fresh egg will sink in freshwater but float in a brine solution.