iSCIENCE
egg-emistry
Eggs are laid by many creatures including reptiles, fish, birds
–even a couple of rule-breaking 'monotreme' mammals.
To survive in their own habitat, eggs can be soft-shelled,
gel-covered, leathery, hard-shelled...or shell-less!
Ostriches , c
hickens, em
u, quail. .. The
hard-shelled
y all la
eggs but w
ow what a diff er y
in sizes! Whi
ence
ch one do yo
u think is whi
ch?
egg-shell-ent birds...
The shell of a bird's egg is made almost
entirely of calcium carbonate (9497%). The rest is usually magnesium
carbonate (1%), calcium phosphate
(1%) and organic matter (1-4%).
A strong protein matrix keeps
the 'egg shape' firm.
As it is semi-permeable,
eggshell isn't entirely
waterproof but should
definitely prevent eggs
drying out. Air and moisture
pass through tiny pores and
a thin 'bloom' coating helps
keep out bacteria and dust.
chromium eggs-tinction...
Want your kit in 'team colours'? Painting your
bedroom? The chemical often used to create these
colours is '