Final answer:
An egg will shrink in a hypertonic solution, like concentrated saltwater, due to osmosis causing water to leave the egg. It will swell in a hypotonic solution, like plain water, as water enters the egg to equalize solute concentrations across the semi-permeable membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Different Liquids on Eggs
The liquid that caused the egg ti shrink is likely to have been a hypertonic solution, such as concentrated saltwater. This occurs because water moves out of the egg and into the solution to balance the concentration of solutes on either side of the membrane, a process known as osmosis. Conversely, the liquid that caused the egg to swell would be a hypotonic solution, such as plain water, where water moves into the egg, causing it to expand.
These effects are due to the presence of a semi-permeable membrane in the egg that allows water to pass through but not the dissolved substances that cause the differences in concentration. When an egg is placed in a hypertonic solution, it experiences osmotic pressure that draws water out, leading to shrinkage. In the case of the hypotonic solution, water enters the egg, resulting in swelling.