Multiple choice

An egg sinks in soft water but floats in a concentrated solution of salt because _____.

  1. egg absorbs salt from the solution and expands

  2. albumin dissolves in salt solution and egg becomes lighter

  3. the density of salt solution exceeds the density of eggs

  4. water has high surface tension
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

An object floats when the fluid's density exceeds the object's density (Archimedes' principle). Salt water is denser than fresh water due to dissolved salt - concentrated salt solution exceeds the egg's density (~1.1 g/mL), causing buoyancy. In soft water, density is lower, so the egg sinks. The egg doesn't absorb salt or dissolve albumin.

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