This egg-in-a-bottle experiment is all about air pressure and temperature changes and looks SUPER cool- Let's see what happens step by step!
When you light the piece of paper on fire and drop it inside the bottle, the air inside the bottle starts to warm up. As the air gets hotter, it expands and some of it escapes out of the bottle around the edges of the egg.
Next, you quickly (and carefully) put the egg on top of the bottle. This part is important because it seals the opening, not letting any more air escape or enter the bottle.
After a little bit, the fire goes out because it uses up the oxygen inside the bottle. After the fire goes out, the air inside the bottle starts to cool down. Here's where it starts to get fun: Cooler air takes up less space than hot air, so the pressure inside the bottle drops.
Now, here's the cool part! The air pressure outside the bottle is greater than the air pressure inside the bottle. This difference in pressure causes the egg to be pushed into the bottle! It might look like the egg is being "sucked" in, but it's really the higher air pressure outside pushing the egg INTO the bottle.
Summed up: this experiment shows how changes in temperature and air pressure can create a force strong enough to push an egg into a bottle!
Here's a short video we made of our daughter doing this egg-in-a-bottle science experiment:
Materials
To get started with the egg in a bottle experiment, you will need the following materials:
A glass bottle: The bottle should have an opening slightly smaller than the diameter of the egg. A glass milk bottle, many flower vases, or even a narrow-mouthed jar can work well for this experiment.
A hard-boiled egg: The egg should be peeled, and its size should be slightly larger than the bottle's opening.
A piece of paper or a small strip of newspaper: This creates the fire inside the bottle used to change the temperature and eventually the air pressure.
Lighter: You'll need this to light the piece of paper.
Tongs or oven mitts: These are for handling the hot bottle or to ensure safety when placing the egg on top of the bottle.
Optional: A mat, plate, or tray to catch any mess from the experiment.
Before starting the experiment, make sure that you have all the necessary materials, and always make sure an adult is supervising and following proper safety precautions.
Directions:
To perform the egg in a bottle experiment safely at home, follow these directions with adult supervision:
Make sure the workspace is clean and clear of any flammable materials. Use a heat-resistant surface, like a countertop or table (cover with a heat-resistant mat if you want extra protection).
Prepare the hard-boiled egg by peeling it and making sure it is slightly larger than the opening of the glass bottle. (If it slides in before lighting the paper, the bottle opening is too big or the egg too small.)
Take a piece of paper or a small strip of newspaper and roll or fold it into a small cylinder shape that fits into the bottle you're using.
The adult should light (or supervise) the piece of paper on fire using a match or lighter.
Carefully and quickly, using tongs or oven mitts if you want, place the burning paper inside the glass bottle.
Quickly place the peeled hard-boiled egg on top of the bottle's opening, with the wider end facing down.
Watch as the egg gets sucked into the bottle due to the change in air pressure.
Remember to always have an adult present during the experiment, and be cautious when handling fire or heated objects. Make sure to follow safety precautions and keep flammable materials away from the workspace.
Consider having a fire extinguisher or a bowl of water nearby for added safety.
Lessons Learned
The egg in a bottle experiment can teach children several valuable lessons beyond just the main concept of air pressure and temperature changes:
Scientific method:
Children can learn about forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, observing results, and drawing conclusions based on their observations.
Fire safety:
This experiment offers an opportunity to discuss fire safety and the importance of adult supervision when using fire or heat sources during experiments.
Combustion:
The burning paper inside the bottle consumes oxygen, which can introduce the concept of combustion and the role of oxygen in fire.
Effects of temperature on air:
This experiment shows how the temperature of air can affect its volume and pressure, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between temperature, air pressure, and volume.
Problem-solving:
Children can explore variations of the experiment, like using different-sized bottles or objects, to better understand the factors that contribute to a successful outcome.
Real-world applications:
This experiment can be a starting point for discussing real-world situations where air pressure and temperature changes play a role, like weather systems or how different machines function.
By participating in the egg in a bottle experiment, children can develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts, improve their problem-solving skills, and learn about the practical applications of air pressure and temperature changes in the world around them.
Add Some Fun
To make the egg in a bottle experiment more exciting and fun for kids, parents can:
Turn it into a story:
Create a fun narrative around the experiment to engage your child's imagination. For example, tell a story about a magic egg that needs to be transported into the bottle without touching it in order to keep its' magic intact. You could even suggest that maybe this is how genies get in and out of their lamps! 🤭
Encourage predictions:
Ask your child to predict what they think will happen before starting the experiment. This will engage their curiosity and create anticipation for the outcome. Plus, everyone loves being right, but the shock of an outcome could be just as exciting!
Use different objects:
Try using different objects besides an egg, like a small rubber ball or a marshmallow. This can help kids explore how different materials react to the same change in air pressure.
Create a challenge:
Decorate the bottle:
Allow your child to decorate the bottle with stickers, markers, or paint before starting the experiment, making the activity more personalized and visually appealing. This could work especially well with younger kids if you're going for that "genie in the bottle" suggest we mentioned above.
Document the process:
Encourage your child to take photos or draw pictures of each step in the experiment (similar to what's done after reading books in many kindegarten classrooms). They can then create a simple science journal to document their observations and conclusions.
Perform additional experiments:
Ask your kids what other science experiments they'd like to try. Maybe they've seen something on Youtube Kids they'd like to try out or maybe they have their own completely unique idea they've imagined and would like to see happen.
We've got plenty of science experiment suggestions here if you're looking for more inspiration:
More Experiments To Try
Here are a few experiments that kids can do at home with their parents to learn about air pressure, temperature changes, and the strong forces they create:
Balloon in a bottle: Stretch a deflated balloon over the mouth of a bottle and place the bottle in a bowl of hot water. Watch as the balloon inflates due to the air inside the bottle expanding with the temperature change.
Collapsing can: Heat an empty soda can with a small amount of water inside it until the water starts to boil. Using tongs, quickly invert the can and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Observe as the can instantly crushes due to the change in air pressure.
Straw through a potato: Hold a plastic drinking straw by its sides without covering the hole at the top. Thrust the straw quickly into a raw potato, and watch as the air pressure inside the straw allows it to pierce through the potato without bending.
Homemade barometer: Create a simple barometer by attaching a deflated balloon to the mouth of a jar and sealing it with a rubber band. Place a straw on top of the balloon and secure it with tape. As the air pressure changes outside, the balloon will move up or down, and the straw will indicate the change on a scale you create.
Additional Information
Here are a few additional points and questions related to the egg in a bottle experiment:
Understanding the science: Make sure you and your child understand the scientific principles behind the experiment, such as air pressure, temperature changes, and the relationship between them.
Troubleshooting: If the egg doesn't get sucked into the bottle, discuss potential reasons with your child and troubleshoot together. The paper might not have burned long enough, the bottle's opening could be too large or too small, or the egg might not be the right size.
Experiment variations: Try different variables in the experiment, such as using different objects or different-sized bottles, to see how the results change.
Reversing the process: After completing the experiment, you may wonder how to get the egg out of the bottle. Discuss possible ways with your child, such as using a long spoon to break the egg apart, or creating a change in air pressure by blowing air into the bottle with a straw or by mouth (with adult supervision).
Clean-up and safety: After completing the experiment, discuss proper clean-up procedures and the importance of safety when dealing with fire and hot objects.
Connection to other experiments: Explore how this experiment connects to other experiments involving air pressure, temperature changes, or other related scientific principles.
By discussing these additional points and questions, you can have a more comprehensive learning experience for your child during the egg in a bottle experiment.
In conclusion
The egg in a bottle experiment is a fun and educational activity for kids and parents to explore together at home. By understanding the science behind air pressure and temperature changes, children can learn about the forces that cause the egg to be pushed into the bottle.
With proper safety precautions and adult supervision, this experiment can be an enjoyable way to spark curiosity and inspire young minds to learn more about the fascinating world of science.
So grab a hard-boiled egg, a glass bottle, and a piece of paper, and get ready to embark on an exciting scientific adventure with your child!
Questions and Answers:
Why does the egg get sucked into the bottle?
The egg gets pulled into the bottle because when the paper burns, it heats the air inside. When the air cools down, there's less pressure inside the bottle than outside. The higher pressure outside pushes the egg in!
Can you use a raw egg instead of a hard-boiled egg?
No, you should use a hard-boiled egg because it's stronger and less messy. A raw egg might break and make a mess.
How can I get the egg out of the bottle after the experiment?
Hold the bottle upside down with the egg close to the opening. Blow air into the bottle with a straw or with help from an adult. This makes the pressure inside the bottle higher, and the egg will come out!
Why didn't the egg get sucked into the bottle during my experiment?
There could be a few reasons, like the paper didn't burn long enough, the bottle's opening was too big or small, or the egg was the wrong size. Try again with some changes!
Is it safe for kids to do this experiment?
Yes, but make sure an adult is with you and you follow safety rules. Keep flammable things away, use a heat-resistant surface, and have an adult help with the fire and hot glass bottle.
Can I use a plastic bottle instead of a glass bottle?
No, you should use a glass bottle because it can handle the heat better. Plastic bottles might melt or release toxic fumes that are bad for you when heated up.
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