Balancing an Egg on the Equinox - I Did It!

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

The forum discussion centers around the myth of balancing an egg on the equinox, with participants sharing their experiences and techniques. The original poster successfully balanced an egg on a wooden table covered with a smoothed tablecloth, challenging the notion that this feat is only possible during the equinox. Participants discussed the importance of finding the center of mass and suggested using a smooth, hard surface for better results. Phil Plait's instructional videos on egg balancing were recommended as valuable resources for mastering this skill.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of center of mass and balance principles
  • Familiarity with egg structure and its physical properties
  • Experience with basic physics concepts related to stability
  • Knowledge of different surfaces and their impact on balancing objects
NEXT STEPS
  • Watch Phil Plait's instructional video on egg balancing techniques
  • Experiment with balancing eggs on various surfaces, including slate and wood
  • Research the physics behind the center of mass and stability
  • Practice balancing multiple eggs to increase difficulty and skill
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in practical demonstrations of balance and stability, as well as those looking to engage in fun, hands-on science experiments.

  • #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