Egg Drop:

An Experiment in Collisions

Purpose
The object is to build a container that will protect two Large Eggs (A – AA) from breaking when it is
dropped from balcony area at WHS. The egg will simulate a human in a car and your job is to design and
construct a container (according to the rules) that will protect the eggs from breaking when it crashes into
the ground. You will need to use what we’ve learned in class about collisions and stopping distance to
make this work. We will also look at how Kinetic Energy (KE = ½ mv2) and Potential Energy ( PE =
mgh) is involved. Where m= mass, g = gravity, v = velocity and h = height)
Students may work in teams of no more than two and construct a vehicle that will protect the egg. The
crash test day is scheduled for Monday , March 7th during Science class. Your project is due that day.
No exceptions.

Rules
1. The vehicle can not use parachutes, air foils, wings, or helium balloons. No lighter than air gasses are
allowed.
2. The vehicle must not be larger than a 8” cube. This size limit does not apply at the point of, or after
impact.
3. The container must have a place for an egg driver and an egg passenger.
4. The eggs must be enclosed in a container. The container must be able to be opened before and after
the egg drop. The egg will be given to participants before the competition and they will have 30
seconds to secure their egg in their container before testing.
5. The container with the egg must have at least 50% of the volume visibly empty. Open cell foam and
packing material will be measured as one solid mass and minute air pockets in foam or between
packing materials will not figure into the judge’s calculation.
6. Vehicles must have a mass no lighter than 0.5 Kg or 1.1 lbs.
7. Vehicles must be sturdy enough to withstand carrying by other conscientious
students.
8. Vehicles will be tossed out of the balcony onto the cafeteria floor below. Vehicles must be built to
withstand a collision from any direction.
9. Each team only gets one try.
10. Some simple materials may be provided by the teacher, but almost any material can be used for the
vehicle. No glass or potentially dangerous materials will be allowed. If the judge feels your vehicle
will pose a danger when dropped your vehicle will be disqualified.
11. The judge’s decisions are final.
 Egg Drop Lab Report

Directions: Answer the following questions. Answers will not be graded unless they are
descriptive, detailed and in complete sentences.

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Team Member Name Teacher/Period Team Member Name Teacher/Period

STEP I: FINAL DRAFT Sketch your group’s choice for design to prevent the egg
from breaking. NOTE: This sketch should be more accurate and detailed than the sketch in
step 2.
It is best to show a cross section view – if you were to cut the container in half, what
would it look like?
Label all parts & materials of the device.

10 pts.
STEP II: MATERIALS LIST: Make a list of all supplies used in your construction.
Give quantity and measurement data on any supply that it is appropriate.

10 pts.

STEP III: Using bulletted statements explain why this construction design will work
and/or how it will protect the egg from breaking.
Note: These bullets should explain your thought processes for choosing this design
over others making sure to use physics, engineering, design elements, materials
used, etc…. in your explanation.
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 A. Calculate the potential energy of the egg before it falls. PE = mgh
10 pts

m = mass in grams
g = gravity = 9.8 m/s/s
h = height

B. Calculate the speed of the egg right before impact. KE = ½ m v 2

10 pts
m = mass in grams
v = velocity
v = height/ time
t= time
C. Calculate the applied force the egg would possess upon impact. m (kg) X 9.8 = ___ N.
10 pts

STEP IV: REFLECTION Each team must answer the following two questions.
Why was the team’s design successful or unsuccessful? Be specific.
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 What would you do differently if given the opportunity to re-construct the
device? Why? Be specific.

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