Simple Concept Question Regarding Impulse and Momentum

[etherealcalc]

It's simple to everyone but me haha
1. Homework Statement
We toss an egg onto the floor, and it breaks. We toss an egg onto a pillow on the floor, and it does not break. The egg that does not break experiences a smaller:
A. Impulse
B. Change in momentum
C. Maximum Force

Homework Equations

Ft=delta(p)

The Attempt at a Solution

A and B are the same answer, so if I were to just want to find the answer, it would be C by POE because they both can't be right. However, I thought impulse was the reason that the egg/pillow combo doesn't shatter the egg, because there's more time. Is it C because impulse implies that the egg had to bounce a bit up, and it doesn't do that, it just shatters?

 

[haruspex]

A and B are the same

Right.

Is it C because impulse implies that the egg had to bounce a bit up

No.
Impulse is force times time (as an integral). What is likely to break an egg, a small force for a long time or a large force for a short time? Which would you prefer to be subjected to?

 

[CWatters]

Perhaps think about the effect the pillow has on the stopping distance. Apply the equations of motion to think about the deceleration and Newtons law get the force.

Edit: c says maximum force.

 

[etherealcalc]

Right.

No.
Impulse is force times time (as an integral). What is likely to break an egg, a small force for a long time or a large force for a short time? Which would you prefer to be subjected to?

I would think either would break an egg, but couldn't a small force for a longer time possibly be a smaller impulse?

 

[haruspex]

I would think either would break an egg, but couldn't a small force for a longer time possibly be a smaller impulse?

Consider a given impulse spread over either a short time or a long time. If spread (evenly) over a long time then the peak force is small; if only taking a short time the force must be large.
For a small force, consider, say, the weight of a fly, about 10^-4N. If a fly sits on an egg for a year, what is the impulse? Could it break the egg?
What about the same impulse spread over 1ms?