Why do gummy bears shrink in salt water?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the physical process that occurs when gummy bears are placed in salt water, specifically why they shrink. This involves concepts of osmosis and how solutions with different concentrations affect the mass and size of the gummy bears.
Answer
Hypertonic solution causes water to leave gummy bears, making them shrink.
The final answer is because the gummy bears were placed in a hypertonic solution, causing water to leave the gummy to create an isotonic solution.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is because the gummy bears were placed in a hypertonic solution, causing water to leave the gummy to create an isotonic solution.
More Information
Osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher concentration. In a hypertonic solution like salt water, the concentration of salt outside the gummy bear is higher, drawing out water and causing the bear to shrink.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming all liquids will cause gummy bears to shrink or swell in the same manner. It's essential to understand the concept of osmosis and the differences between hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.
Sources
- Osmosis experiment with gummy bears - curriculum.gov.bc.ca
- Gummy bear osmosis - The Experiment Archive - experimentarchive.com
- Simple Science: Gummy Bears - Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library - evpl.org
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