How do I keep a non-aerodynamic object from flipping? (egg drop contest)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Parker Hame
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Contest Drop
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
Sign up Log in
7 replies · 3K views
Parker Hame
Messages
15
Reaction score
6
Mod note: Moved from Science and Math Textbooks section, so is missing the homework template
I am doing an egg drop challange and we aren’t allowed to have a parachute. I asked and I put my egg in a cup hot glued to the inside of an upside down styrofoam bowl. How do I keep it from flipping? We have limited materials because he gives them to us. I have popsicle sticks, a plastic bag, hot glue, and paper. At least those are the things that could be useful. Only 20 sticks though. Please answer quickly.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
NFuller said:
Can you post a picture of the set up? Why don't you just connect two bowls together with the egg in the middle, so even if it flips, it doesn't matter?
We only have one bowl, it’s a good idea though, and we have a system there to keep the egg from breaking there that’s too big for another bowl
 
Parker Hame said:
I am doing an egg drop challange and we aren’t allowed to have a parachute. I asked and I put my egg in a cup hot glued to the inside of an upside down styrofoam bowl. How do I keep it from flipping? We have limited materials because he gives them to us. I have popsicle sticks, a plastic bag, hot glue, and paper. At least those are the things that could be useful. Only 20 sticks though. Please answer quickly.
Also there’s things like toothpicks rubber bands cotton balls and straws
 
Or if you want, look at it scientifically.

It takes X force to break the egg.

Force = mass * acceleration.

So the faster your egg decelerates, the more force will be applied. One way to protect the egg is to make it decelerate slower.

ex. concrete is hard, foam is soft. the egg slows down faster when it hits concrete than when it hits foam.

the lighter your system is, the lower the force on the system is when it hits the ground,
 
CWatters said:
Add tail fins?

+1

and put them on the plastic bag which you then inflate with the egg suspended inside .