Designing an Effective Egg Drop Prototype: Key Insights
School
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PHYSICS 1651
Subject
Mechanical Engineering
Date
Dec 12, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by CorporalMaskPelican47
Protect an Egg on Impact LabHeight of egg drop: 20mIdeas for prototype DesignI could create a parachute out of the paper, and cover the egg in straws. I could create paper rolls and tie them to the egg.Preliminary SketchesOption AAdvantages:- Has a parachute to reduce gravity force- Has straws to break the fall of the egg- Egg falls straight downDisadvantages:- Harder to construct
Option BAdvantages:- More straws to break the fall of the egg- Easier to Build- Less supplies are neededDisadvantages:- No parachute- Straws might break after on trial- Egg can land in any positionOption CAdvantages:- easiest to build- minimal material is used- paper rolls break the fall of the eggDisadvantages:- egg can land in any position- egg might slip out of the tape- no parachute
Which of the three designs will you move forward with? Explain your reasoning for selecting this design.I will move forward with option A. This is because it has a parachute system that reduces the downward pull of gravity. Also, it includes a set of straws to break the egg’s fall on contact with the ground.What modifications, if any, did you make to the basic design during the construction process?I made no modifications to the design during the construction process. PredictionsWill your device prevent the egg from cracking upon impact with the ground? How will your device do this?Yes, my device will prevent the egg from cracking upon impact with the ground. My device will do this by reducing the downward force of the egg by increasing the upward force of air resistance. Will your device increase the time it takes for the egg to impact the ground? How will your device do this?Yes, my device will prevent the time it takes for the egg to impact the ground. It will do this by providing a cushion for the egg, therefore spreading out the impact force over a longer period of time.ObservationsRecord your observations and results of the experimental tests of your device belowTrialTime (seconds)110.5210.9310.7The egg dropped straight down as I predicted. The parachute system did in fact decrease the downward force of the egg and slowed its descent. The straws did act as a cushion and provided a soft landing for the egg. The egg survived all three attempts. Evaluating Your PrototypeWhat worked well?The parachute system worked well, because it drastically slowed the time of descent for the egg and decreased the downward force of the egg. The straw system worked decently because although it did provide cushion for the egg’s impact, it didn’t drastically increase the time of impact. What features can be improved upon?
The parachute could be a lot larger to provide for air resistance, the straws could also be stiffer to provide more cushion. SuggestionsHow could the design of this device be improved?The parachute could be made of plastic to make the device lighter and to increase air resistance. A sponge could be attached to the bottom of the straw mechanism to provide more of a cushion to the egg. Why would this change be an improvement? What impulse or momentum principle is this movement based on?The material change of the parachute would decrease the overall mass of the egg and the egg drop device. This would decrease the momentum of the egg due to the direct relationship between mass and momentum. Sketch of Final Design