Discussion
Osmosis is a type of diffusion that involves the movement of water molecules from a region
of high concentration to a region of low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane
until the particles are evenly distributed. The chemical reaction that causes the egg to be
deshelled when it is placed is vinegar is called an acid-carbonate reaction. This is because the
acetic acid in the vinegar recats with the calcium carbonate in the egg shell. This produces
carbon dioxide
This happens because the acetic acid (CH₃COOH) in vinegar reacts with the calcium
carbonate (CaCO₃) in the eggshell, producing carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, water (H₂O),
and calcium acetate (Ca(CH₃COO)₂).
Chemical Reaction That Causes the Egg to Be Deshelled
Before conducting the experiment, the egg is placed in vinegar to remove its shell. This
occurs due to a chemical reaction between acetic acid (in vinegar) and calcium carbonate
(the eggshell), producing carbon dioxide gas, water, and a dissolved calcium compound.
After deshelling, the egg is left with only its semi-permeable membrane, allowing osmosis
to occur.
Hypertonic, Hypotonic, and Isotonic Solutions
Hypertonic solution: A solution with a higher solute concentration than the inside
of the egg. Water moves out of the egg, causing it to shrink (e.g., salt solution).
Hypotonic solution: A solution with a lower solute concentration than the inside of
the egg. Water moves into the egg, causing it to swell (e.g., distilled water).
Isotonic solution: A solution with the same solute concentration as the egg’s
interior, resulting in no net movement of water, so the egg remains the same size.
Explanation of Results
When the egg was placed in distilled water (hypotonic solution), water moved into the egg,
making it swell. This happened because the water concentration outside was higher than
inside the egg, so osmosis occurred to balance it out.
On the other hand, when the egg was placed in a salt solution (hypertonic solution), water
moved out of the egg into the solution, causing the egg to shrink. This occurred because the
salt solution had a higher solute concentration, pulling water out of the egg to balance the
concentrations.
This experiment demonstrates the principles of osmosis and how cells react to different
environments, helping us understand how water movement affects living organisms.
Explanation:
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) reacts with acetic acid (CH₃COOH) in vinegar.
This produces calcium acetate (Ca(CH₃COO)₂), water (H₂O), and carbon
dioxide gas (CO₂).
The carbon dioxide bubbles are visible during the reaction, showing the breakdown
of the shell.
Observation:
Bubbles of carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) form around the egg as the shell dissolves.
After some time, the shell completely dissolves, leaving only the semi-permeable
membrane of the egg.
In conclusion, the experiment demonstrated osmosis using eggs. The egg in distilled water
swelled as water moved in (hypotonic solution), while the egg in the salt solution shrank as
water moved out (hypertonic solution). This highlights the effect of osmosis on water
movement across semi-permeable membranes.