How can I improve my egg drop design using limited materials?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on improving an egg drop design using limited materials, specifically 3 sheets of newspaper, 5 popsicle sticks, 10 wooden skewers, 1 meter of masking tape, and hot glue. Participants suggest constructing a cone from the newspaper and recommend stuffing the bottom for added cushioning. Key strategies include ensuring the cone drops straight to minimize tilting and conducting a series of incremental drop tests to gather data on failure points. The consensus emphasizes the importance of early experimentation and learning from failures to refine the design.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics principles related to impact and force distribution.
  • Familiarity with materials science, particularly the properties of newspaper and wood.
  • Knowledge of basic construction techniques using adhesive materials like masking tape and hot glue.
  • Experience with iterative design processes and testing methodologies.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research effective designs for egg drop competitions, focusing on impact absorption techniques.
  • Learn about the physics of free fall and how to calculate impact forces.
  • Explore methods for stabilizing structures during free fall to prevent tilting.
  • Investigate the use of additional cushioning materials that can enhance egg protection.
USEFUL FOR

Students participating in egg drop competitions, educators teaching physics concepts, and anyone interested in engineering design challenges.

Johnson Smith
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Hey guys!

So I will be doing the classic egg drop competition at school and was wondering if I could get some help. The materials I have is :
3 sheets of newspaper
5 popsicle sticks
10 wooden skewers
1m of masking tape
hot glue

I have to drop an egg multiple times (not sure the heights yet though). I was thinking of just using the typical design of making a cone out of the sheets of newspaper, but any tips with that? Should I stuff the bottom of the cone with extra newspaper and masking tape? Also, is making sure the cone drops straight so it lands on the point an issue? If, so do you guys have any tips on keeping it from tilting? Thanks!
 
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Johnson Smith said:
Also, is making sure the cone drops straight so it lands on the point an issue?
What do you think? What do you reckon would happen if it turns upside down?
 
Whatever you decide to do, do it sooner than later. Don't wait till the night before. Fail early and often. From each failure, try to learn something (what broke and why, etc.) so you can improve your next design. Also: don't start out at a height of 10 meters and expect to learn anything. Do a sequence of drops at incrementally increasing altitudes (starting at a very low height) and record the fail height for each version of your design.
 
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