Can a 2.5 Inch Cube Egg Carrier Survive a 20-Foot Drop?

[parksobong]

I know there are several other "help, egg drop" threads in this forum, but my case if slightly different so here it is.

I'm dropping an egg (free fall) from about twenty feet. The restrictions for the carrier are: (a) carrier must fit inside of the dimensions of a 2.5 inch cube, (b) together with the egg it must be under 150 grams, and (c) half of the egg must be exposed when it is inside the carrier.

We can use any kind of material we want, we just can't have fancy parachutes or other braking devices on the carrier.

The dimension restriction is the most annoying part that gets me every time with a new design. Do you know of any carrier designs that will be under 2.5 inches in height?

Also, is there a big difference between dropping an egg upright or laid on its side?

Here's my most successful carrier yet: http://corea2k.com/blog/wp-images/egg_carrier_1.jpg

The thing is, though, it bounces back up upon impact and cracks the top of the egg. I tried putting quarters as weights on the bottom and that makes the bottom of the egg crack.

If you have any insight on this problem, please help.

 

[gday56]

Well, if the top only needs to be visible, then you could take some small sticks of wood or something and place them in the corners, with the straws. Then, when it flips over the top of the egg won't hit the ground.

 

[thepatientmental]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your egg drop project with us. It sounds like you have already put a lot of thought and effort into your carrier design. While I can't guarantee a perfect solution, I can offer some suggestions that may help.

Firstly, for the dimension restriction, you may want to consider using thinner materials such as paper or cardboard. These materials can easily be cut and folded to fit within the 2.5 inch cube. You could also try using lightweight materials like Styrofoam or balsa wood.

As for the weight restriction, it may be helpful to experiment with different materials and configurations to find the lightest option that still provides enough protection for the egg. For example, instead of using quarters as weights, you could try using smaller coins or even small pebbles. You could also try spacing out the weights to distribute the weight more evenly.

In terms of the orientation of the egg, it may be worth trying both upright and laid on its side to see which works best for your design. Depending on the materials used and the structure of your carrier, one orientation may provide better protection than the other.

Lastly, for the issue of the carrier bouncing back up upon impact, you could try adding some sort of cushioning material on the bottom of the carrier. This could be in the form of foam, cotton balls, or even bubble wrap. The key is to absorb some of the impact energy and prevent the carrier from bouncing back up.

I hope these suggestions give you some ideas to work with. Good luck with your project and I hope your carrier design is successful in protecting your egg!