Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 53%

What will happen to a hard-boiled egg if placed in a beaker of saltwater?

Rationale

Shrivel due to water leaving the egg.

When a hard-boiled egg is placed in saltwater, osmosis occurs, causing water to move out of the egg and into the surrounding saltwater solution. This process results in the egg losing water and subsequently shriveling as the concentration of solutes outside the egg is higher than inside.

A (Expand due to water moving into the egg) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is incorrect because the concentration of salt in the surrounding saltwater is greater than that inside the egg. Instead of water moving into the egg, which would cause it to expand, water will actually move out of the egg to balance the solute concentrations, leading to shriveling.

B (Shrivel due to water leaving the egg) CORRECT

This option is correct as it accurately describes the process of osmosis. The higher concentration of salt outside the egg causes water to exit the egg, resulting in a net loss of water and causing the egg to shrivel.

C (Remain the same) YOUR ANSWER

This option is incorrect because the egg will not remain unchanged in saltwater. The osmotic pressure difference will drive water out of the egg, leading to a visible change in its size and texture.

D (None of the above) YOUR ANSWER

This option is also incorrect since one of the choices (B) correctly states the outcome of placing a hard-boiled egg in saltwater. Therefore, this answer does not apply, as the egg will indeed shrivel.

Conclusion

In summary, when a hard-boiled egg is placed in saltwater, it will shrivel due to the loss of water through osmosis. The movement of water from the egg to the higher concentration saltwater solution results in a decrease in size, illustrating the principles of osmotic balance between solutions of different concentrations.

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