Joshua Mathew

Mr. Fahmy

Physics

Period:1

2/22/2021

Egg Drop Lab

PROBLEM
● What is the problem that you are trying to solve? How will you go about solving it?
The problem I am trying to solve is dropping an egg from a predetermined height without

breaking the egg. I will solve it by using toilet paper, tape, and cotton balls.

RESEARCH REQUIRED
Find two articles or websites and create an annotated bibliography. Research aspects of this project
that you personally find interesting.

https://sciencing.com/make-egg-survive-20foot-drop-8293632.html

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/Images/Highest%20Egg%20Drop_tcm25-508175.pdf

- In the first article it states the most important way to stop an egg from breaking is by

cushioning the impact. I used this in my own experiment because I used two toilet paper

rolls to cushion the impact of the egg.

- In the second article I found the highest egg drop ever in the world. I was very intrigued

by how they did it because they used very generic items such as tape and paper. I then

realized I do not need a complex structure for my egg to survive the crash.

MATERIALS/BLUEPRINT
POST-EXPERIMENT Observations
- Approximate drop height: 78 inches (1.9812 meters)

- The descent was not slowed down by air resistance.

- The structure bounced once, and then landed on its side, but the egg never cracked.

- There were no cracking sounds.

- The momentum increased after it left my hand, and gravity pulled the structure down.

- The structure landed then bounced making it land on its side.

- I would describe the change in momentum from at rest (my hands) to the hitting of the

ground to be increased and fast.

Drop #2
- Although my project was successful, one way I can improve/fix the project is by adding

more cotton balls because they both came off while the structure was dropping. This can

ensure that the egg will be safe no matter what side it lands on.
- After the 2nd drop, my improvements did help. I added more cotton balls and it landed at

the bottom of the toilet paper roll. Because of the cushion the cotton provided I was able

to not have the egg crack again.

POST-EXPERIMENT ANALYSIS
- Both drops were successful. In the first drop my apparatus stayed in the middle of the

toilet paper rolls. In the second drop the egg drifted to the bottom of the toilet paper roll

but the cotton balls were able to stop the egg from cracking. Preferably, I would have

wanted both egg drops to have stayed in the middle but I knew I had a strong supporting

structure on every side.

- The forces acting on the egg as it falls are gravity and impact.

- Gravity cannot be controlled, but it can be contradicted by air friction. To control air

friction, surface area can be increased, as done by having two toilet paper rolls around the

egg.

- I think the key for my experiment was the material around the egg which was the two

toilet paper rolls and cotton balls.

- Some common characteristics of the materials that protected some eggs are tape and

cotton balls. I saw that the book of Guinness World Records used basic items for their

egg drop such as tape and paper. After seeing this I realized all I need are basic items for

my egg to not crack.

- The materials played a role in protection because it created a cushion for the egg to stay

in. The toilet paper rolls and cotton balls made the egg tucked in enough to protect it from

cracking. Without the toilet paper roll my egg would crack instantly after touching the

ground.

- In my design the toilet paper rolls protected the egg. Two stacks of toilet paper allowed

my egg to have a safe and sturdy cushion in the fall. Without a large enough cushion for

your egg people’s experiments will continue to fail.

- I think I would not change my experiment because I believe I have enough protection to

keep my egg safe from any height.