Why Do Rotten Eggs Float in Water? Some people say that rotten eggs float on the surface of the water because the liquid matter inside the egg changes into the gaseous state. It is a myth because if liquid matter changes into the gaseous state, the mass of the egg will remain the same. If the mass of the egg remains the same, it means that the density of egg is greater than the density of the water and it should sink instead of floating.
Now, we come to the main point. An egg sinks into the water because its density is greater than the water. After some time, decomposition occurs in the egg and mass inside the egg starts to covert into the gaseous state. The eggs are porous; therefore, these eggs escape some amount of gas through the eggshell. As a result, this gas is lost into the atmosphere. After losing enough amount of gas, the density of the egg decreases and it starts to float on the surface of the water.
Why Do Rotten Eggs Smell So Bad? The eggs are known as the best resource of taking proteins because eggs have a high concentration of globulin and keratin proteins. When globulin decays, it releases hydrogen sulfide. On the other hand, when keratin decays, it releases an amino acid called cystine. This amino acid is also full of Sulphur atoms.
Therefore, we can say that both of these proteins release the sulfurous smell. This sulfurous smell tells us that an egg is rotten. This sulfurous smell is just like the smell of the sewage treatment plants. Most of the people have lots of questions about the expiration dates of the eggs. They should know that after packing the eggs, the expiration date should not be longer than 30 days.
Egg Float Test: Is it a Myth? We have all heard of it, but what exactly is it?
The egg float test is a simple test which checks for the egg’s freshness. But is it just an old wives’ tale or does this test actually work? Today’s topic is just that, we’re going to explain the egg float test, how to do it and whether it is accurate. We will also discuss how best to store your eggs – especially in these hot and humid months!
What is the Egg Float Test? The egg float test is an old fashioned way of telling approximately how old your eggs are. It is simple to do and only takes 5 minutes to check a carton of eggs.
How to Do the Egg Float Test?
*Start by filling a bowl with enough cold water to cover the egg plus two inches. The eggs to be tested should be un-cracked. Cracked eggs really should be discarded or fed back to the hens.
*Once the bowl is full of water, simply place an egg into the water; one egg at a time.
The results can be understood as follows:
Egg stays at the bottom lying on its’ side – very fresh
Egg stands up but is still submerged – not as fresh but still good to eat.
Egg floats – very old, best not to use it.
Another Way to Tell Either an Egg is Rotten or not?
If you don’t have a glass of freshwater, you can also check the freshness of the egg by another method. In this method, you will have to hold the egg near to your ear. After holding the egg near to your ear, you should shake it and listen to its voice. If you are not listening enough sound, it means that the egg is fresh to use. On the other hand, if you are listening enough sound by shaking it, it means that the egg is rotten.
Its reason is that liquid matter of the fresh egg has enough cohesion and it doesn’t allow the particles to move. On the other hand, when this liquid converts into the gaseous state, it loses cohesion and its particles move easily which make enough noise.
Content for this question contributed by Carrie March, resident of Concord, Contra Costa County, California, USA
