How it looks:

On a hot summer day, bet a friend that you can cook an egg without a stove or microwave.
If it is hot enough (warmer than 35º C), you can break an egg directly on the sidewalk and it should cook within a few minutes. If it is not this hot, you can still cook an egg by creating a solar energy catcher to intensify the sun’s cooking power.

What you need:

• 1 egg
• 1 strip of tinfoil (the size must cover that of a small frying pan)
• Cement pad (garage driveway or sidewalk)
• A hot sunny day!
• Adult helper

Preparation:

If temperature is warmer than 35º C - Find a spot outside where the sun is directly shining. Crack the egg and pour onto the hot sidewalk or driveway (make sure it is a flat and level surface). Allow the sun to do the rest of the work. Wait a few minutes and you will have a cooked egg.

If the temperature is less than 35º C – You will not have enough sun heating your area so you will need to intensify the heat in order to cook the egg. This can be done by laying a sheet of tinfoil (shiny side up) on the sidewalk or driveway (it should be flat or level) where the sun is directly shining. Curl up the edges of the tinfoil so that the egg stays on the tinfoil. Crack your egg and pour the contents on the tinfoil. Your egg will soon start to cook.

Be sure to clean up your mess after you are done.

* Make sure to protect yourself from the sun. Remember to “Slip, Slap, Slop” – Slip on a T-shirt, Slap on a hat and Slop on the sunscreen.

How it works:

The egg cooks faster on tinfoil because it is a reflective surface that focuses the solar (sun) energy back into the egg instead of allowing it through into the cement. The egg will cook faster than if you put it directly on the sidewalk.

Did you know…

Coagulation of an egg (ie. change from a fluid to a solid or semi-solid form) is influenced by temperature. Egg white begins to coagulate at 62°C (144°F) while yolk begins to coagulate at 65°C (149°F).

Did you also know…

Solar energy is being used to power everything these days, from camping lamps, to houses, even cars! A solar car named Soleon built by University of Calgary students raced the 4000+ km distance from Austin, Texas to Calgary in July 2005. Congratulations to the team for a great showing by a rookie team!.

Source: Adapted from www.energyquest.ca.gov and “The Amazing Egg Book”- Margaret Griffin, 1989.

Click here for a printable PDF document of this Egg-Trick - 164 KB (Adobe Reader required).