Science Egg-Drop With A Few Restrictions - Need Ideas!?

Question

I'm sure we're all familiar with the classic egg drop experiment - build something so that when you drop an egg from a height, the contraption will make sure that the egg does not crack.

My first thought on this was, "Oh, this'll be easy" before I realized that the restrictions were.

RESTRICTIONS
- No foam
- No bubble wrap
- Must weigh 150 g or less, INCLUDING egg [I believe the egg is around 50 g, so that means the thing I use has to be less than or equal to 100 g]

The problem is, what am I going to make that weights 100 g? In reality, that is a really small amount, I think about 100 pennies equals 100 g.

I know I have to somehow distribute the force evenly around the eggshell, but right now, I'm completely stumped. I think I should also use different-density padding, but I have no idea what I'm going to do.

I'd love any ideas, suggestions, and comments to anyone who's willing to help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I've done the egg drop before.

I used drinking straws to build a light, but sturdy outside frame (box-shape or pyramid), to absorb the initial impact. Attach the straws using glue, rubber bands, tape, melting, or whatever other method you want to use.

Enclose the box with plastic wrap (but leave an opening for the egg that you can later cover up) or some other kind of outside wrap.

Pack the inside with lightweight material that allows the egg to move a little, but absorbs the shock (e.g., shredded paper, spongy material, cotton). Basically you are just applying the same idea that you would use in shipping by mail.

Just experiment until you think you've found the best solution using what you have available.

Now a more creative idea would be to use the straw box frame, and create a design that uses rubber bands that connect from each vertex of the box to suspend a capsule (however you want to design the capsule) that contains the egg in the center of the box. The box frame would absorb most of the initial shock and the rubber band suspension would absorb the rest of it.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Egg Drop Capsule

Answer 4

I answered this question a few days ago for another user. He used my idea and it worked. Although, he did not have the weight restriction.

My idea was for him to build an air-tight sphere and fill it with jello. Don't know if it'll fit into your weight restriction, but maybe it will give you a starting place.

Good luck & let us know how it turns out!!!

Answer 5

When I did this in high school, I used a large jar, right off the shelf at the local drug store, of Vaseline. Shove the egg in, make sure it is covered on all sides, re-seal the jar and drop. I won in the sense the egg did not crack at all. I was not allowed to win since I didn't really build anything like the instructions said to.

Answer 6

to reduce a force, prolong the time of impact. think: if you're in a car going 45mph and stop at a red light by slowing down for 15 seconds, you don't really notice. But if you're in the same car and stop in .5 seconds by running into a brick wall, it kinda sucks. so make sure the egg can move a bit, that it isn't packed tight enough that it hits and stops too suddenly.

Answer 7

Ok, I have got this to work before that followed those similar specifications. We used straws as are frame, due to there light weight. And just used folded toilet paper/or kleenex as our padding. You can either melt the straws together (with help from an adult if needed) or glue. Melting them together work the best. Hope this helps if more info is needed on the design let me know.

Answer 8

Make sure you drop it correctly. The same way it comes out of the chicken. One side of the egg is stronger than the other and less likely to crack. I think its the pointed end.

As for padding...maybe some flour, sugar, or other soft baking powders.

Answer 9

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Try making a loose net (kind of a sunken in grid pattern). That way, when the egg hits the straws, it will give a little to absorb the impact. Remember, the looser you can make it, the better.

Answer 10

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