Egg Sandwich
Posted by Sue Lin on March 5, 2003
Q: Does the size of the air chamber of an egg differ depend on its freshness?
A: When an egg is first laid, it is warm. As it cools, the contents contract and the inner shell membrane separates from the outer shell membrane to form
an air cell in the larger end of the egg. At first, in an egg of highest quality (Grade AA) the air cell may be up to the size of a dime and not more
than 1/8" thick.
As the egg ages, moisture and carbon dioxide leave through the pores of the shell, air enters to replace them and the air cell becomes larger.
So, yes, the size of an egg's air cell does depend on its freshness. The fresher the egg, the smaller the air cell.
Mark Baldwin ( March 5, 2003)
Filed under: Birds