Egg Craft Project
Purpose: To design and build a craft that will protect an egg from breaking while it is dropped
from the second story. It will be dropped from right outside our classroom (Rm 555). We will
study the change in momentum and crumple zone of your eggcraft. Your assignment is to design
TWO different crafts that will protect a raw egg from breaking (leaking means it broke). The
designs must be completely different looking.
100 POINTS FOR THE PROJECT. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE.
Due Date will be 12/15/10 or periods 1, 5 12/16/10 for period 6
RULES:
1. Two eggs will be provided by your teacher (that would be Mr. Abdo just in case your
were not sure).
2. The eggcrafts will be dropped from the balcony outside our room.
3. Acceptable material for the eggcraft: any wood or paper products are ok, clear tape,
glue, cotton, bamboo skewers, paper towel roll, paper streamers.
4. NON ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL: Any plastic or metal containers, bubble wrap,
foam, packing peanuts, peanut butter.
5. Make this craft as light weight as possible and keep the egg from breaking
6. Size: CANNOT exceed 30cm x 30cm x 30 cm. Instant disqualification.
7. Must be dropped on day of launch. Only one drop allowed. NO LATE ENTRIES.
8. Must have name written clearly on it.
9. Must be able to be open to place egg in it. You must have a door to be able to place your
egg in the day of the launch.
10. Device cannot weigh more than 50 grams. All crafts will be weighted the day of launch.
If more than 50 grams 0pts earned.
11. No containers will be allowed that are already prefabricated. In other words, you must
build every part of the craft.
12. The egg must not be modified in any way. I will give you a piece of tape to hold the egg
in.
13. No parachutes or may be used. Wing like projections or any materials dangling to
stabilize and/or slow down are ok. Homemade propellers are ok. No boxes or bags
allowed.
14. CRAFTS ARE NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL WE GO BACK TO THE
CLASSROOM. ANY OPENED CRAFTS WILL RECEIVE A MAXIMUM OF 60
POINTS.
15. IF EGG BREAKS, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO USE YOUR ALTERNATE CRAFT.
THE BETTER SCORE WILL BE TAKEN. IF YOUR EGG SURVIVES THE FIRST
TIME, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TRY WITH YOUR SECOND CRAFT.
YOU MAY BRING YOUR CRAFT IN BEFORE THE DAY OF LAUNCH TO WEIGH IT.
REMEMBER A MAXIMUM OF 50 GRAMS IS ALLOWED.
SCORING:
• 50 grams or less with survival (plus second craft) =====>100 pts.
• 50 grams or less with no survival (plus second craft) =====>80 pts.
• 50 grams or more ====> 0pts
• 50 grams or less with survival (plus no second craft) =====> 75 pts.
• 50 grams or less with no survival (plus no second craft) ==== 65 pts.
For extra credit, YOU MUST HAVE A SECOND CRAFT.
• 40 grams or less add 5 pts.
• 30 grams or less add 10 pts.
• 20 grams or less add 15 pts.
• 10 grams or less add 20 pts.
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED AFTER LAUNCH DATE:
1. What was the mass of the eggcraft (with and without the eggonaut)?
2. Assuming an acceleration equal to -9.8 m/s2, what was the velocity as the eggcraft reached the ground?
3. What was the change in momentum of the eggcraft (with the eggonaut)?
4. What was the kinetic energy of the eggcraft and eggonaut when it reached the ground?
5. Estimate the size of the crumple zone (in meters)
6. Assuming a constant force, estimate the average force applied to the egg during landing.
Show measurements or estimates of the distance or times needed to the eggcraft to safely land the
eggonaut. Explain how the estimations or measurements were made.
7. Make a detailed cut-away (include a parts listing) drawing of the internal structure of the eggcraft.
Include both a labeled top and side view.
8. Make a detailed side view drawing of the external structure of the eggcraft. Be sure to label the
dimensions. Include both a labeled top and side view.
9. Explain how the materials used were chosen and why the materials were or were not effective in
protecting the eggonaut.
10. Explain how the change of momentum and impulse are related to the success or failure of the
eggcraft.
11. Using the information you learned about physics explain how manufacturers of seatbelts, airbags, and
other devices prevent injury from passengers in automobiles? 3-5 sentences. Make sure to use the proper
physics terms in your description.