I need your help for an egg drop competition!

• Aug 20, 2009

• #1

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

I need some way to protect an egg from a 3 story fall. The egg has to be in some sort of dodecahedron shell. I cant use any packing materials. I need to find a design by tommorrow! Does anyone have any ideas on how to protect this egg?

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #2

elitesniper

0

Joined

Dec 24, 2008

Messages

409

Points

0

put some flaps on the side to add more drag is what i did and i got first place

Try to add as much drag as possible and have a light egg holder

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #3

lasersbee

0

Joined

Sep 20, 2008

Messages

17,622

Points

113

You should post the Contest Rules...
there may be a way to understand the rules
"outside the box"...:eg:

Jerry

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #4

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

Ok here are the rules. I was thinking I could make some kind of parachute and have a wood decahedron box surrounding the egg.

 

Attachments

• 
  Egg Drop.jpg

  46.4 KB · Views: 11,530

• Aug 20, 2009

• #5

N

nikokapo

1

Joined

Dec 26, 2007

Messages

6,129

Points

0

Wasn't this posted last year?

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #6

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

I dont know. I didnt post anything about an egg drop competition last year.

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #7

lasersbee

0

Joined

Sep 20, 2008

Messages

17,622

Points

113

section #6 of the rules states "you must show the inside of your dodecahedron
with the location of your egg, the 100 grams of gravel, and any other
packing material".

Section #8 of the rules states "No commercial packing material can be used"

Socks... Sponge cake... Empty wasps nest.. Shaving cream...Popcorn...
come to mind as non commercial packing material..

Then a fair sized parachute made of thin plastic Dry Cleaner bags...
to slow the descent...

Hmmm... I see a winner..... or at least a runner up....


Jerry

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #8

bobhaha

0

Joined

May 31, 2009

Messages

3,239

Points

63

Easy, use this stuff YouTube - Non-Newtonian Fluid Egg Protector

Its cornstarch and water.. just fill a bag full of it and drop it.. it wont break!!

EDIT: but test it before you hand it in LOL

Hope that helped -Adrian

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2009

• Aug 20, 2009

• #9

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

Popcorn Great idea! What do you think I should mak ethe decahedron out of? Wood is sturdy but heavy. I think I will put the egg in a sack filled with the non newtonian mixture( cornstarch and water) then put it in the decahedron. I will then tie a light weight laundry sack parachute on it if I have one, if I dont I will use a garbage bag.

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2009

• Aug 20, 2009

• #10

bobhaha

0

Joined

May 31, 2009

Messages

3,239

Points

63

You talking to me?... whos popcorn?

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #11

lasersbee

0

Joined

Sep 20, 2008

Messages

17,622

Points

113

I would use corrugated cardboard... it is already designed for anti-impact
protection......

Jerry

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2009

• Aug 20, 2009

• #12

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

I was talking to laserbee. He suggested popcorn or socks. Is corrugated cardboard just that carboard wit the triangles inbetween the flat panels?


I really think that non newtonian fluid will help alot. I just found a video of someone dropping it off a 3 story building with nothing slowing the sack with the egg and fluid down. If I put a decahedron around it and have a parachute there is no way this thing will break.

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #13

lasersbee

0

Joined

Sep 20, 2008

Messages

17,622

Points

113

Yeah corrugated cardboard is what most shipping boxes are made of.
There are 2 flat sheets glued to a wavy center section... that's what
give it it's strength...

You got me... what is newtonian fluid....

[EDIT]
If you are talking about "corn startch and water" that's a No-No
It acts as a solid at first impact and then acts softer..
Proportional to applied force

Jerry

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2009

• Aug 20, 2009

• #14

Shogoki

0

Joined

Aug 14, 2009

Messages

220

Points

0

some decent cardboard for the outside (don't use wood! wtf?!)
and yea.. you can use your own type of packing material. (you can do blown up small balloons? like water balloons?)

i don't see rules on a parachute either... so yea.. above suggestions work.

also, use string, rope, or even rubber bands inside.. attaching it to the decahedron framework so the egg remains center.. if you decide to use rubber bands, ensure it does stretch beyond the radius and allow the egg to hit the outside shell upon heavy impact.

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #15

lazer

0

Joined

Dec 21, 2008

Messages

361

Points

0

Non newtonian fluid is fluid that can become really hard when alot of force is applied but as soon as the force is released the object can slowly sink into it.
Newtonian fluid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-non-newtonian-fluid.htm

 

• Aug 20, 2009

• #16

bobhaha

0

Joined

May 31, 2009

Messages

3,239

Points

63

Non newtonian fluid is a fliud that can be in two states at once. It is a sloid and a liquard. when a compressive force is applied to it, it turns to a solid, but only for a few seconds, then it returns to a liquard state, until it is disturbed again...

Check this out YouTube - A pool filled with non-newtonian fluid

Btw yeah i think that will work lazer.. it will help just incase the parrachute screws up.. btw its really easy to get the egg out... its not like dunking your hand in water.. its more like playdough..

-Adrian