Yes, you can spin an egg, but the results will differ dramatically depending on whether it's raw or hard-boiled.
Spinning a Hard-Boiled Egg vs. a Raw Egg
The key difference lies in the internal state of the egg. A hard-boiled egg is solid throughout, while a raw egg contains liquid. This affects the spinning behavior.
Hard-Boiled Egg
- Spinning: A hard-boiled egg will spin smoothly and predictably.
- Stopping: When you briefly stop a spinning hard-boiled egg and then release it, it will remain stopped (or nearly so).
Raw Egg
- Spinning: A raw egg will wobble significantly as it spins due to the liquid inside sloshing around. This shifting of the center of gravity makes it harder to spin consistently.
- Stopping: If you briefly stop a spinning raw egg and then release it, it will start spinning again (or continue to wobble) because the liquid inside is still in motion. The inertia of the liquid transfers momentum back to the shell.
Why the Difference?
The difference in spinning behavior is due to inertia and the movement of liquids. In a hard-boiled egg, the entire mass spins as one unit. In a raw egg, the liquid lags behind the shell's rotation. This lag and the resulting movement disrupt the egg's balance. When you try to stop a raw egg, you're only stopping the shell; the liquid continues to rotate, causing the egg to start spinning again.
