Question

Dylan is completing an experiment in science class. The teacher gave Dylan a raw egg that had the shell removed. The egg is surounded by a membrane. Dylan gently placed the egg into a solution. Below is a diagram of the concentration of water molecules in the egg and in the solution.

Based on the diagram, what will happen to the egg?
A.
It will shrink because water molecules will move out of the egg until the concentrations are equal.
B.
It will swell because water molecules will move into the egg until the concentrations are equal.
C.
It will shrink because water molecules will move out of the egg until all the water molecules are in the solution.
D.
It will swell because water molecules will move into the egg until all the water molecules are inside the egg.

Answer 1

Answer: Based on the diagram, the egg will swell because water molecules will move into the egg until the concentrations are equal.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the egg is placed in the solution, there is a difference in the concentration of water molecules between the egg and the solution. The diagram shows that the solution has a higher concentration of water molecules compared to the egg.

In order to equalize the concentration, water molecules will move from the solution into the egg. This process is known as osmosis. The water molecules will pass through the membrane of the egg to reach an equilibrium, where the concentrations on both sides are equal.

As a result, the egg will swell as water molecules enter the egg. The movement of water molecules into the egg will continue until the concentrations are balanced.