How to Lower an Egg Slowly from 8 Feet Without Exceeding 5 Minutes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a project challenge of lowering an egg from a height of 8 feet within a maximum time limit of 5 minutes. Participants explore various methods and mechanisms to achieve this goal, considering both theoretical and practical approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using an elastic bed to cushion the egg's fall, allowing gravity to assist in the process.
  • Another participant proposes a pulley system with a second identical egg or weight, a rope, and a slow, precise electric motor, configured like an elevator.
  • A different approach involves a mechanical speed regulator that uses centripetal forces to engage or disengage a braking system based on the speed of the egg's descent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views and methods without reaching a consensus on the best approach to lower the egg slowly.

Contextual Notes

Some methods depend on specific mechanical designs and assumptions about the materials used, which are not fully detailed in the discussion.

eggthing
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Hey my name is Andy and I'm a student at UW-Milwaukee where I'm studying Physics. I have a project right now that I need a little help with. What would you guys do if you had to lower an egg to the ground in the slowest time possible from an approximate hieght of 8ft. It can not exceed 5 min in time.
Thank you
Andy
 
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I'd put an elastic bed just onto the ground. Once the egg has fallen on the bed, I'd put it on the ground in the smaller time possible. :biggrin: Gravity plays the rest.
 
eggthing said:
Hey my name is Andy and I'm a student at UW-Milwaukee where I'm studying Physics. I have a project right now that I need a little help with. What would you guys do if you had to lower an egg to the ground in the slowest time possible from an approximate hieght of 8ft. It can not exceed 5 min in time.
Thank you
Andy

A pulley, a second identical egg (or weight), a rope and 2 harnesses and a slow, precise, electric motor, all configured as a standard elevator.
 
eggthing said:
Hey my name is Andy and I'm a student at UW-Milwaukee where I'm studying Physics. I have a project right now that I need a little help with. What would you guys do if you had to lower an egg to the ground in the slowest time possible from an approximate hieght of 8ft. It can not exceed 5 min in time.
Thank you
Andy

A mechanical speed regulator - as the egg drops, it spins a gadget. When the gadget spins slowly, a mechanical brake is disengated. When the gadget spins quickly, a mechancical brake is engaged. Centripetal forces, acting against either a spring or a weight, activate the braking system, so that it can't spin over a certain rate.
 

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