An exercise in science reasoning.

The Egg Drop Activity

Begin Activity

This activity involves observing the results of dropping an egg onto a surface. The size of the egg, the height from which it is dropped, and the characteristics of the landing surface can be varied. The effect of these variations upon the the safety of the egg will be examined. The activity is accompanied by a collection of questions that target your science reasoning abilities. These questions are found in the widget of this iBook. For convenience sake, they can also be found online at:

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/iPad/pdfs/eggdrop.pdf

10 meters

Experimental Conditions

1-inch Foam

The currently selected set of conditions are hilighted in red. Click any button to modify the conditions.

Small

Foam Box

Egg Size:

Drop Height:

Large

Run Trial

Landing Surface:

Jumbo

Once satisfied with the selected conditions, click on the Run Trial button.

1 meter

Hard Floor

5 meters

10.0 m

ZOOM OUT VIEW

Experimental Conditions:

ZOOM IN VIEW

1.0 m

Results of Trial mass = AA grams = AAA kilograms,   ∆velocity = BBB m/s,   t = CCC seconds  F = m•∆v/t = (AAA kg)•(BBB m/s)/(CCC s) = DDD N The egg is ... Fractured!

Egg Size (mass):  AAA (BBB g) Drop Height:  CCC meters Landing Surface:  DDD

Click on the Drop Egg button to run a trial with the stated conditions. Click on the Change Conditions button to change the conditions.

Change Conditions

Drop Egg

5.0 m

Repeat Trial

Egg Size (mass):  AAA (BBB g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   AAA grams (AAA kg) Drop Height:  BBB meters Landing Surface:  CCC Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was DDD m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of EEE seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (AAA kg)•(DDD m/s)/(EEE s) = FFF N The egg is GGG.

Repeat Animation

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.0040 s) = 44.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Click on the Drop Egg button to run a trial. Click on the Change Conditions button to change the conditions.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.0040 s) = 66.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.0040 s) = 88.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.0030 s) = 132.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.0030 s) = 198.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.0030 s) = 264.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.0020 s) = 280.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.0020 s) = 420.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.0020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.0020 s) = 560.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Hard floor

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.020 s) = 28.0 N The egg is FRACTURED.

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.020 s) = 42.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.020 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.020 s) = 56.0 N The egg is BROKEN.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.030 s) = 13.2 N The egg is SAFE.

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.030 s) = 19.8 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.030 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.030 s) = 26.4 N The egg is FRACTURED.

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 4.4 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 6.6 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 8.8 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  1-inch Foam

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.080 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.080 s) = 2.2 N The egg is SAFE.

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.080 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.080 s) = 3.3 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  1.0 meter Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 4.4 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.080 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.08 kg)•(4.4 m/s)/(0.080 s) = 4.4 N The egg is SAFE.

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.060 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.060 s) = 6.6 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.060 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.060 s) = 9.9 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  5.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 9.9 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.060 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(9.9 m/s)/(0.060 s) = 13.2 N The egg is SAFE.

Report: Egg size:   Small (0.040 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.040 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 14.0 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Small (40 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Large (0.060 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.060 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 21.0 N The egg is SAFE.

Egg Size (mass):  Large (60 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam

Report: Egg size:   Jumbo (0.080 kg) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam Upon impact, the velocity change (∆v) was 14.0 m/s.  This ∆v took place over a time of 0.040 seconds. The force on the egg during the collision was ... F = m•∆v/t = (0.080 kg)•(14.0 m/s)/(0.040 s) = 28.0 N The egg is FRACTURED.

Egg Size (mass):  Jumbo (80 g) Drop Height:  10.0 meters Landing Surface:  Box of Foam