Balancing an Egg on the Equinox - I Did It!

  • Thread starter Thread starter mbrmbrg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Egg
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of balancing an egg, particularly in relation to the equinox. Participants share personal experiences, observations, and theories regarding the ease or difficulty of balancing eggs on various surfaces, as well as the potential influence of egg characteristics on this ability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses skepticism about the myth that eggs can only be balanced on the equinox, sharing their personal success in balancing an egg.
  • Another participant questions why balancing an egg would be considered difficult, suggesting that a smooth surface would make it easier.
  • Concerns are raised about the characteristics of specific eggs, with one participant describing an egg that felt abnormal and had a significant air pocket, which they believe could affect balancing.
  • Several participants share their experiences of balancing eggs, noting the importance of patience and practice in achieving success.
  • There are discussions about the potential for "magic" eggs or special conditions that might make balancing easier or more difficult.
  • Some participants mention the influence of surface texture and the role of the center of mass in balancing eggs.
  • One participant references a well-known figure who has demonstrated the ability to balance eggs consistently, suggesting that there are techniques that can be learned.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the nature of the eggs and the balancing process, with some participants joking about "magical" properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the difficulty of balancing eggs or the significance of the equinox. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the characteristics of eggs and the conditions necessary for successful balancing.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the influence of specific egg characteristics and surface conditions on balancing success. There are also references to personal experiences that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in experimental physics, casual science enthusiasts, and those curious about the folklore surrounding egg balancing may find this discussion engaging.

  • #31


turbo said:
This camera is a bit odd in some ways. This piece of fossil rock was sitting firmly on top of my home-made woodbox, but it doesn't look that way here.

floatingfossil_comt.jpg
I haz levitating rocks!

Looks like the shadow from your head is creating the shadow below the rock that looks like the shadow of the rock itself, making it appear as if the rock is floating.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32


turbo said:
This camera is a bit odd in some ways. This piece of fossil rock was sitting firmly on top of my home-made woodbox, but it doesn't look that way here.

floatingfossil_comt.jpg
I haz levitating rocks!

5ma2xt.jpg
Also, I just balanced an egg on my desk. I held it pointy side down for a while and put it over a candle for a few seconds, then flipped it and did the same to the not-so-pointy side. Then I simply balanced it and it was easy.
 
  • #33


Aliens!
 
  • #34


QuarkCharmer said:
5ma2xt.jpg

:smile::smile::smile:
 
  • #35


QuarkCharmer said:
5ma2xt.jpg
Also, I just balanced an egg on my desk. I held it pointy side down for a while and put it over a candle for a few seconds, then flipped it and did the same to the not-so-pointy side. Then I simply balanced it and it was easy.
Aliens! They gave me levitating rocks, but I'm not supposed to tell. They leave footprints that glow in the dark, and I keep telling them "Hey Mr Spaceman, won't you please take me along? I won't do anything wrong. Hey Mr. Spaceman, won't you please take me along for a ride?"

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #36


Balancing a single egg is easy. Let's see you balance an egg on top of another egg.
 
  • #37


jreelawg said:
Balancing a single egg is easy. Let's see you balance an egg on top of another egg.

I can do better. I can balance an egg on top of four eggs, which are themselves, balanced on an egg carton.
 
  • #38


QuarkCharmer said:
I can do better. I can balance an egg on top of four eggs, which are themselves, balanced on an egg carton.

Hrm. I take umbrage with your definition of "balance". :-p
 
  • #39


I wonder how many people are now obsessed with balancing eggs due to this thread?
 
  • #40


Evo said:
I wonder how many people are now obsessed with balancing eggs due to this thread?
That would be a fun statistic! How many people stumbled across this silly thread and just HAD to see if they could do it...
 
  • #41


turbo said:
That would be a fun statistic! How many people stumbled across this silly thread and just HAD to see if they could do it...

And that, my friends, is how pop science is born!
 
  • #42


thats pretty impressive, considering there must be organic deformties inside the egg itself!
 
  • #43


DaveC426913 said:
Hrm. I take umbrage with your definition of "balance". :-p
Quit stealing all the umbrage! Leave some for others.
 
  • #44


Well, this probably doesn't apply but if infant to balance an egg I just sprinkle some salt on the table and then balance it on that. If your husband Is the kind of guy that would pull that off then ask him about it.
 

Similar threads

Egg Balancing Day: Astronomical Myth or Reality?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K