Egg Throw Physics: Protecting the Egg During a Building Drop

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on a school project involving dropping an egg from a building, where the objective is to prevent the egg from breaking upon impact. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the physics of motion and impact, as well as the project's requirements, which prohibit electrical or chemical solutions. Suggestions include using a parachute to slow descent while ensuring the egg remains visible, and exploring various protective materials like bubble wrap. The write-up component of the project requires a qualitative explanation of the chosen methods and their effectiveness.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic principles of physics, particularly motion and impact forces
  • Understanding of materials science for selecting protective materials
  • Knowledge of aerodynamics for designing a parachute
  • Ability to conduct qualitative analysis for project write-ups
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of free fall and terminal velocity
  • Explore different materials for shock absorption, such as foam or bubble wrap
  • Learn about parachute design and its impact on descent speed
  • Study examples of similar egg drop projects for innovative ideas
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students participating in engineering or physics projects, educators looking for creative teaching methods, and anyone interested in practical applications of physics concepts.

azhang40
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My teacher is having us do an Egg Throw off of a building at our school. Further the distance, the more points we score on our grade. The project is pass/fail, if the egg breaks we get a 0. However, 60% of the actual project is a write-up explaining the concepts that happen to the egg as it is in motion and when it lands.

However, my main problem is I don't really know how to begin. The rules are: nothing electrical or chemical, and the egg must be visible at all times during the throw. How should I approach protecting the egg? Any additional info I will add on as I remember.
 
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What materials are you allowed to use? You can't play the game without knowing the ground rules.
 
Anything, which is kinda nice.
 
Theoretically I could just wrap it in a ton of bubble wrap, but I would also have to explain it in the write-up qualitatively
 
If you can really use *anything*, then think about what you need to do to ensure an intact egg at the bottom. Protecting the egg upon landing is nice, but how can you slow its descent down?
 
You said in post #1 that the egg as to be visible. If so, how could you wrap it in bubble wrap. Did you mean that the CONTAINER it is in has to be visible?
 
I misread the guidelines. The egg does not necessarily have to be visible. However curious3141, I'm not sure if I would like to slow it's descent down, as I would like to make the egg travel a farther distance also. But a parachute type contraption could work
 

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