Egg-Dye Solutions Activity Sheet
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4LESSON 9:
EGG-DYE SOLUTIONS
• DESCRIPTION
Acids and bases are used to determine which works best to dye eggs.
• OBJECTIVE
In this lesson, students set up an experiment using various solutions to determine whether acids or
bases work better for dyeing eggs.
• CONTENT TOPICS
Acids and bases; chemical reactions
• MATERIALS
–Red and blue litmus paper (optional)
–Hard-boiled eggs (3-6 per group)
–Various acids and bases (vinegar, ammonia,
–Food coloring or dye
lemons, orange juice, borax, milk of
–Cups
magnesia, etc.)
–Plastic spoons (one per cup)
OBSERVATION & BACKGROUND
To describe certain chemical compounds,
Lemons, orange juice, and vinegar all contain
chemists use the terms acids and bases.
acids. Ammonia, borax (mixed with water), and
As a general rule of thumb, solutions that
milk of magnesia are all bases. When dyeing
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contain a concentration of hydrogen ions (H
)
eggs, acids will work the best because they
greater than pure water are called acids.
actually corrode the eggshell and allow the dye
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Solutions containing an H
concentration less
to set. Vinegar works the best because it is
than pure water are called bases. Solutions
the most acidic.
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containing an H
concentration equal to
pure water are neutral. Bases are used to
HYPOTHESIS
neutralize acids and vice versa.
Acids work better to dye eggs
because they soften the
Scientists often need to know if a substance is
eggshell, which allows the dye to
an acid or base. To do so, they use certain
be absorbed.
indicators. In this experiment, litmus paper is
used as an indicator. Blue litmus paper turns red
in the presence of an acid, and red litmus paper
turns blue in the presence of a base.
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Lesson 9:
Egg-Dye Solutions
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