If Eggs Sink They Are Good

The float test is a simple method to determine the freshness of an egg. It involves placing the egg in a glass or bowl filled with cold water. If the egg sinks to the bottom and lays flat on its side, it is considered fresh. If it stands upright on its end, it is still good but not as fresh. And if it floats, it is no longer good and should be discarded.

The reason for this is that as an egg ages, the air cell inside the egg increases in size. This causes the egg to become less dense and more buoyant, which is why it floats. Fresh eggs have a small air cell and are therefore denser, which is why they sink.

So, if you have an egg that you're not sure about, simply perform the float test. If it sinks, it's good. If it floats, it's not.

Here are some additional tips for performing the float test:

Use cold water. Warm water can cause the egg to float even if it is fresh.
Place the egg gently in the water. Don't drop it, as this can damage the egg.
Observe the egg for a few seconds. If it sinks immediately, it is fresh. If it takes a few seconds to sink, it is still good but not as fresh.
If the egg floats, it is no longer good and should be discarded.

The float test is a simple and reliable way to determine the freshness of an egg. So, next time you're not sure about an egg, give it the float test. It's a quick and easy way to make sure that you're eating fresh, high-quality eggs.

Other Factors That Can Affect the Float Test

In addition to the age of the egg, there are a few other factors that can affect the float test. These include:

The size of the egg. Larger eggs have a larger air cell and are therefore more buoyant than smaller eggs. This means that a large egg may float even if it is fresh.
The temperature of the water. Warm water can cause the egg to float even if it is fresh. This is because warm water causes the air cell to expand.
The salinity of the water. Salt water is denser than fresh water, which means that an egg will float more easily in salt water than in fresh water.

If you are unsure about the freshness of an egg, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard it. However, if you are confident that the egg is fresh, you can still use it even if it floats.