An Analysis of Egg Floating and Sinking in Fluids of Three Different Densities

Abstract

Buoyancy, as described by Archimedes' Principle, is the upward force exerted by a fluid that counteracts the weight of an immersed object. This study investigates how fluid density affects buoyant force by observing an egg’s floating and sinking behaviour in three different fluids: plain water, saltwater, and a baking soda solution. The research aims to analysed the relationship between fluid density and an object's ability to float while demonstrating how changes in fluid composition influence buoyant force. The experiment involved preparing solutions with varying densities: plain water (1000 kg/m³), saltwater (1020 kg/m³), and a baking soda mixture (1100 kg/m³). An egg was submerged in each fluid, and its behaviour was recorded, particularly whether it remained fully submerged, partially submerged, or floated. The submerged height was measured, and buoyant force was calculated using Archimedes’ Principle. Increasing fluid density enhanced buoyant force, allowing the egg to float more effectively. In plain water, the egg fully submerged with a buoyant force of 1.96 N, which was insufficient to counteract its weight of 0.68 N. In saltwater, partial submersion was observed with a buoyant force of 2.04 N and its weight of 0.70 N. The densest fluid, the baking soda solution, generated the highest buoyant force of 2.50 N, causing the egg with its weight of 0.59 N to float higher. The experiment confirm that fluid density significantly affects buoyant force and an object's ability to float, aligning with theoretical expectations. These findings validate Archimedes’ Principle by demonstrating that varying fluid densities have an impact on the buoyant force. Real-world implications extend to engineering, marine science, and fluid dynamics, particularly in understanding the floating mechanisms of objects and marine life in different salinity levels. The study highlights the importance of fluid properties in real-world applications and provides a simple yet effective approach to exploring fundamental physics principles.