Constructing an Egg Drop Device with Limited Materials

In summary, for a physics project where an egg must be dropped 30ft with limited materials of 60cm of half inch thick clear tape, three sheets of paper, and four straws, the idea of using helicopter blades made of paper, straws, and paper bits as cushions in a modded paper water bomb is proposed. Additional ideas include using a cylinder of paper with a "spring" made of straws underneath and a fin tail made from the rest of the paper for stabilization. It is also suggested to use strips of paper taped together to lower the egg to the ground, but it may not be allowed depending on the size and type of paper. It is noted that this design has been successful in the past, but there may
  • #1
ReasonExcuse
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in physics we have to drop an egg 30ft and the only materials we have is 60cm of half inch thick clear tape, three sheets of paper, and four straws I am thinking about making helicopter blades for it and putting it in a modded paper water bomb with straws and paper bits as cushions but idk if thatll work. open to ideas o and NO parachutes
 
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  • #2
Rolling the paper into a cylinder around the egg, and putting a "spring" made of the straws under it might be a good shock absorber. Use the rest of the paper for a fin tail to stabilize it.

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  • #3
ReasonExcuse said:
in physics we have to drop an egg 30ft and the only materials we have is 60cm of half inch thick clear tape, three sheets of paper, and four straws I am thinking about making helicopter blades for it and putting it in a modded paper water bomb with straws and paper bits as cushions but idk if thatll work. open to ideas o and NO parachutes

What size and type of paper, and are you allowed to cut it?
If it's 8.5x11 you may be able to tape strips of paper together and LOWER the egg to the ground :)

Shouldn't this thread be in the homework section?
 
  • #4
attachment.php?attachmentid=47059&stc=1&d=1336428642.png
 

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  • #5
A.T. said:
attachment.php?attachmentid=47059&stc=1&d=1336428642.png

This design worked for me when I did this project 400 years ago. ;)
 
  • #6
Chemicist said:
This design worked for me when I did this project 400 years ago. ;)
Seems like the simplest possible design given the materials. There might be a risk of failure during secondary impact if the tip is too stable and the cone falls over to one side after landing.
 
  • #7
This one worked awesome with my base idea thanks
 
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