why is it that you cannot throw a raw egg against a wall without breaking it, but you can throw it with the same speed on a sagging sheet without breaking it?
2007-03-11 14:07:10 · 8 answers · asked by shelin_113 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The wall doesn't have the elasticity needed to absorb the impact like a sheet does. When the egg hits the sheet, the fiber strands individually move and take the brunt of the energy. A wall stands strong and makes the egg take all the energy.
2007-03-11 14:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by Revelation S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elasticity is NOT the answer (the wall is actually much more elastic than the sheet).
But the air resistance (due to the sheet's light weight, high surface area, and maleability) causes the egg to slow down with the sheet acting like a viscous damper (the air and sheet, which the force applied to slowing the egg down is proportional to the egg's velocity).
The wall is like a very stiff spring. The force applied to the egg when it hits the (somewhat immoveable) wall is equal to the egg's force on impact and no less. The purpose of viscous dampers (in this case a sagged sheet) is to dissipate or release energy out of the system.
2007-03-11 17:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by tobysamples 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in case you toss stuff horizontally any distance this is going to easily fall except it has important horizontal speed. The egg could have saved kinetic potential of momentum which would be released straight away because it reaches the wall. in case you attempt to weigh down an egg on your hand the rigidity on the egg is frivolously allotted and the egg looks stable, although whilst the egg hits the wall all the rigidity is centred on the element of touch that's extra effective than sufficient to crack its skinny shell.
2016-11-24 21:25:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The egg and wall are an example of in-elastic behavior. The egg and sagging sheet are elastic behavior.
2007-03-11 14:12:50 · answer #4 · answered by lollipop 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a sagging sheet directs the force of the impact outwards, so the sheet takes most of it. like ripples in a pond
2007-03-11 14:11:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the sagging sheet will slow it down gradually.
2007-03-11 14:12:25 · answer #6 · answered by Gustav 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A wall doesn't roll with the punches.....
Or
Because the sheet would be easier to wash....Murphy's Law....LOL
2007-03-11 14:15:10 · answer #7 · answered by carmensellsthehighdesert 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the sheet gives and cushions the blow. silly.
2007-03-11 14:11:08 · answer #8 · answered by tara b 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋