Weekly Brainteasers

Dihydrogen monoxide is a chemical used by many corporations including Dupont, Exxon-Mobil and Halliburton. Large quantities of this chemical have been found in rivers and resivoirs near oil refineries and chemical production facilities. Di-H. Monoxide is a major component of acid rain and, despite new water faucet filtration devices, still cannot be removed from our tap water. Consumption of smaller quantities has been directly linked to stomach cramps and vomiting. Alarmingly, consumption of Di-H. monoxide has caused the death of hundreds of Americans every year, the majority of victims being children. We need to stand together and stop evil corporations from using this deadly chemical! Do you know what the common name for this chemical is?

A science teacher told his after school class, "Whoever can get this egg into this smaller glass bottle will win no homework for a week! The rules are: the egg has to go into the bottle in one piece, and you can't break the bottle. You can also use anything in the science lab. So, do we have any volunteers?"

A boy raised his hand and the teacher pointed at him. The boy took the egg and looked around the science lab for the things he could use. He saw some writing paper, a pack of matches, some vinegar, a sink, and the glass bottle. By the end of the after school class, the boy had gotten the egg into the smaller bottle.

How did he do it?

Note that, without doing anything to the egg, the egg can't fit into the bottle.