An egg when placed in ordinary water sinks but floats when placed in brine. This is because

Options

A. density of brine is less than that of ordinary water
B. density of brine is equal to that of ordinary water
C. density of brine is greater than that of ordinary water
D. None of these

Explanation

To solve the question, "An egg when placed in ordinary water sinks but floats when placed in brine. This is because," we need to analyze the concepts of density and buoyancy.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Buoyancy**:
- An object will float in a fluid if the buoyant force acting on it is equal to its weight. The buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid.

2. **Density of Water vs. Density of Brine**:
- Ordinary water has a certain density (approximately 1 g/cm³), while brine (saltwater) has a higher density due to the dissolved salt. The density of brine can vary but is generally greater than that of pure water.

3. **Behavior of the Egg in Water**:
- When the egg is placed in ordinary water, the density of the egg is greater than the density of water. As a result, the egg sinks because it cannot displace enough water to equal its weight.

4. **Behavior of the Egg in Brine**:
- When the egg is placed in brine, the density of brine is greater than that of the egg. Therefore, the egg displaces a volume of brine that weighs more than the egg itself, resulting in a buoyant force that is sufficient to keep the egg afloat.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The reason the egg floats in brine but sinks in water is that the density of brine is greater than the density of water. This means that the buoyant force in brine is greater than the weight of the egg, allowing it to float.

### Final Answer:
The correct option is: **b. Density of brine is greater than density of water.**