physics EGG DROP?

Question

we can only use tape and printer paper

we can use any amount of tape and any amount of paper

there is no time limit

projects will be dropped off of a 5-story tower

the lightest project wins

ideas so far: parachute, padding

how in the world am i supposed to make a decent parachute with padding with only paper and tape?!

thank you =]

Answer 1

A parachute won't work. Not with paper and tape. You want something that will distribute the force of impact evenly across the egg to prevent a crack. If you squeeze and egg in your hand evenly you can't break it, but applying uneven pressure will cause it to crack. Padding will work, if you don't use a lot and keep it focused towards to bottom of the egg. Make a "cradle" for the egg to rest in inside your padding.

Answer 2

You should be able to pull this off with 1 sheet of paper and 8" of tape. Simply take a piece of paper and form it into an 11" long cone by winding one end tighter than the other. It should look like a funnel. Tape it up so it stays in that shape. Put the eg into it with the skinny "top" of the egg at the bottom of the cone.

When you drop it, drop it egg first. It will hit the ground with all the force of impact hitting the top of the egg and being directed along the sides and to the bottom.

As previous people have mentioned, an egg can withstand alot of compressive force directed along the long axis. This drop rig should concentrate the force in that direction, maximizing the egg's chance of survival. This should be a successful design that will win for lightest!

Try to test it out first....you never know what may go wrong!

Answer 3

lightly crumple the paper into poofy balls... don't make tight balls. Tape the balls together surrounding the egg. If you make three layers or more the paper will absord the impact... no need for a chute... but if you have to have a chute.... lay nine sheets of paper or more (the more you have the safer) on the floor edge to edge in a square, tape the sides together. Make an X with the tape across the top of your chute (make sure the tape goes over the four outer corners) then twist the tape extending from the corners down to the egg (this is for stability) and attatch. Combine both methods and you couldn't crack the egg if you wanted to.

Answer 4

The chute construction seems obvious enough,,,
You can surely find dimensions /details/plans on the net somewhere

Twist the tape or paper into "Cord"

For padding,,consider Cones.
Center the egg in 2 cones ,,add a few more to make a sorta "spikey ball",,then fill in between tthe spaces with Reversed Cones....they'll absorb impact

Or,,Got a paper Shreader??
LIGHTLY Tape 3~4~5" paper tubes to the egg,,to center it,
then put it in a "bag" or "box" Lighly filled with paper shredds.

You can't have egg "firmly mounted",,,the idea is to slow it down upon impact till inertia is gone.
Breakaway from the tubes absorbs some energy,,and the shredds should absord rest.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Cut paper into long strips about an inch wide. Cut transversely halfway across about every inch. You are going to cut a whole bunch of strips like this.

Join them together into a lattice structure and layer them with the egg in the center. Use complete sheets of paper to create a box around this lattice structure to hold it all together.

Regardless of what you build, test it first before the actual event.

Answer 6

First off is the structure of an egg. You can squeeze an egg with your hand around the short middle area you can break it however if you turn the egg longways no matter how strong you are you will never be able to crush it in your hand. knowing that If I were you I would make something to lay the egg in that will allow the egg to land on one end.