Get Your Science On: Egg in a Bottle
The week we continue on our theme of atmospheric pressure: we showed you how atmospheric pressure can be used to give a giant “bear hug”, how to use atmospheric pressure to crush a metal can, and the effects of air pressure on marshmallows.
Eva has an egg and a bottle. The egg will not fit in the mouth of the bottle. She uses two different methods to get atmospheric pressure to push the egg into the bottle. The first method uses hot water, some of which evaporates. The water vapor displaces the air inside of the bottle. When the bottle is cooled, the vapor condenses into a liquid, which decreases the pressure inside of the bottle. The second method is similar, but uses a small fire to heat the air inside of the bottle, causing the air to expand. When the flame goes out, the air cools, lowering the pressure on the inside of the bottle.
Eva also uses two different methods to use pressure inside of the bottle to get the egg out. She blows into the bottle, which increases the air pressure inside. The egg seals the bottle and the pressure inside pushes the egg out. Eva also uses a chemical reaction, baking soda and vinegar, which produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas also increases the pressure inside of the bottle to force the egg out.
This video features Eva Asheela, a teacher with the Education Ministry in Namibia. This partnership has been made possible by the generous support of B2Gold Namibia. More details about the Little Shop of Physics B2Gold Partnership can be found here.
