Homeschool Corner: High School Biology Experiment on Osmosis

My high-schooler has been observing the process of osmosis this week. What is osmosis anyways? According to the Biology Dictionary, "Osmosis is when a substance crosses a semipermeable membrane in order to balance the concentrations of another substance."

We did a fun experiment to learn about osmosis. This experiment takes three days to complete. Here is what you will need.

1 coffee mug
1 uncooked egg
1 3/4 cup measuring cup
1 tape measure
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup Karo Syrup
3/4 cup distilled water

Start by measuring the widest part of the egg. Then pour 3/4 cup vinegar in the coffee cup and place the egg in the mug. Allow it to sit for 24 hours. (Hint: the shell should start dissolving).

After 24 hours remove the egg from the mug and carefully rinse it off. The egg shell should have dissolved. Measure the egg again around the widest part. (Hint: your egg should measure a little larger). Wash out the mug and add 3/4 cup Karo syrup. Place the egg into the Karo syrup and let it sit for another 24 hours.

Remove the egg from the Karo syrup. (Hint: the egg should look a little dimpled). Rinse the egg and measure it around the widest part. It should have gotten smaller. Clean the mug and add the 3/4 cup distilled water and allow it to sit for another 24 hours.

Then remove the egg and measure it. (Hint: It should measure larger). What you have just experienced is osmosis. This would make a fun science fair project, just create a hypothesis, take some photos, and make some graphs. I have included a free downloadable PDF for you to record your results. You will find it here.

I hope you get a chance to try out this fun experiment and connect with your teen.

Happy experimenting!
Bridget

P.S. If you have boys like me, they will love throwing the egg after the experiment and watching it splat!