Why Does an Egg Break Differently on Grass Versus Sidewalk?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the physical principles that explain why an egg behaves differently when dropped on grass compared to a sidewalk. The subject area includes concepts from mechanics, particularly momentum and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between momentum, force, and the conditions of impact on different surfaces. There is a focus on the reasoning behind the perceived differences in the egg's behavior upon impact.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning the assumptions related to momentum and the nature of collisions. Some guidance is being offered regarding Newton's laws, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct answer to the original question.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing exploration of the definitions and implications of inelastic versus perfectly inelastic collisions, as well as the relevance of Newton's second law in this context.

jer_hall99
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Homework Statement


A moderate force will break an egg. However, an egg dropped on the road or sidewalk usually breaks, while one dropped on the grass usually does not break. This difference is because for the egg dropped on the grass:

A. the change in momentum is greater
B. the change in momentum is less
C. the time interval for stopping is greater
D. the time interval for stopping is less
E. the change in velocity is less



Homework Equations



vf=(m1v1+m2v2)/(m1+m2)

The Attempt at a Solution


My thoughts are that the answer is "E" because the change in velocity is less because when the egg comes in contact with the grass, a perfectly inelastic collision occurs where if the egg hits the sidewalk, it is only an inelastic equation.
Are my thoughts right, or is it a different answer?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What does Newton's 2nd law say?
 
The acceleration a of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. That doesn't help me too much... Maybe I'm not putting two and two together. Is the answer "E" then?
 
Newton's 2nd law: 'the rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction of this force'.
 

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