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How to Demonstrate Osmosis & Diffusion by Using Eggs & Vinegar

Diffusion takes place when molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration in order to satisfy equilibrium. Osmosis is a form of diffusion. It occurs when the water in a solution moves from an area with a higher concentration of the solute to an area with a lower one. Eggs are used to show these processes because of the semi-permeable membrane under the shell.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 Clean, empty mayonnaise jars
  • White vinegar
  • 2 Raw eggs
  • Tongs
  • Paper towels
  • Food scale
  • Paper
  • Pen
  • Distilled water
  • Food coloring
  • Clear corn syrup
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill two mayonnaise jars with white vinegar, leaving an inch at the top. Place one egg carefully in each jar. Wait 24 to 48 hours for the egg shells to dissolve. Remove the eggs with tongs. Pat dry with paper towels. Weigh the eggs on the food scale. Record the weights.

    • 2

      Pour out the vinegar. Clean the jars thoroughly. Fill one jar to an inch from the top with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Fill the second jar to an inch from the top with clear corn syrup. Place one egg in each jar. Wait 24 hours.

    • 3

      Remove the eggs with the tongs. Weigh the eggs on the food scale. Record the weights and note any differences in the eggs' appearance. Note that the egg from the colored water has grown and is now filled with colored water. As osmosis took place, the colored water moved from outside the egg to the inside. Diffusion is shown by the water in the egg now being colored. The reverse happened with the egg in the corn syrup. Water in the egg had a higher concentration than the corn syrup so the water moved by osmosis from the egg to the corn syrup.

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