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

[Parker Hame]

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.

 

[NFuller]

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?

 

[Parker Hame]

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]

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

 

[donpacino]

If you have most of your mass concentrated on one side, that side will tend to fall to the bottom.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass

 

[donpacino]

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]

Add tail fins?

 

[Nidum]

Add tail fins?

+1

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