Egg Drop

[math92]

For physics we have to design and build a device using 5 sheets of regular paper and some tape to hold an egg and make the egg survive a 2 meter drop without cracking. Any advice on how i should make it?

[Forsaken_13]

I would make one sheet into a cone. Like an ice cream cone. fill it with crushed paper and put the egg in the cone on top of the crushed paper. Make sure it is droped cone pointing down though.

[Anonymous]

I'd do about the same as what forsaken said, only have one sheet covering the bottom of the cone and dropping it like that. This way it won't flip as easily, and when it lands on the ground the crumpled paper will cushion the fall. Don't get too confident with whatever you choose, though. 98% of the time your egg will crack.

[lazyguy]

I'd use a huge sphere of crumpled paper, held together with tape, with a tube for the egg, then stuff and cover that with paper.

[Blixinator]

Wrap the tape around it and leave a two meter tail. Lower it down.

[fruitycaker1]

Wrap the egg in tape, use a full roll. It won't be noticeable if it breaks.

[Mr. Anderson]

Wrap the egg in tape, use a full roll. It won't be noticeable if it breaks.

Definately that.

[Woolfenstien]

Create a box using the paper, wrap egg in tape, and 'hang' it off all 6 inside faces.

[LizardRob]

______
0\/\/\/\

Tube of paper around the outside (made from 2 peices of paper) Then a concertina fold all the way down the middle (with the other 3 sheets). Put the egg where it shows on the diagram, and drop it so that the egg is the highest point.

Concertina folds will cushion the fall more than screwed up paper.

[Logic]

For physics we have to design and build a device using 5 sheets of regular paper and some tape to hold an egg and make the egg survive a 2 meter drop without cracking. Any advice on how i should make it?

You mean like a straight plummit to the floor? You would probably want more cushioning since you will have no control over the rate it which it falls.

I would say to take 4 of the 5 pieces and crumple them into about 1/2" thick strips and tape them around any given side of the egg. This side will serve as the bottom and will become the heaviest, thus falling and hitting the ground first. The cushioning makes sense to be placed here following this thought.

Then take the 5th piece of paper and cut it like this:

cuts in red
_________________________
|---------------------------|
|---------------------------|
|---------------------------|
|---------------------------|
-----------------------------

Fold the sides (you will now have enough cuts to make a 6 sided figure) around the egg and tape it closed at the top tightly to ensure the padding is secured to the egg. Then drop away.

If you want to risk a non-uniform fall (fall without the 5th piece holding everything together), smack the 5th piece on the bottom for even more cushioning.

You can get pretty creative with this :)

[Trans am]

i would make the cone shape with shreds of paper on the inside and possible using a piece of paper or two to make like a parachute.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

i would make the cone shape with shreds of paper on the inside and possible using a piece of paper or two to make like a parachute.

Yeah, you're a bit late for helping.