Physics 305: The Great Egg Drop Debacle
2003 Due Date: Friday, November 14
Your Challenge:
Build a device/vehicle that will protect a passenger (The Egg) from harm during a vertical "crash".
The Rules:
No more than three no fewer than two in a group. At least one group member must be present at the drop on Saturday, November 15, 2003.
One raw egg (large or extra large) is to be used. I supply the egg for the actual contest, you supply any practice eggs!
No foreign substance(s) may be applied to the eggshell, especially for the purpose of increasing the strength of the shell. Nothing may be permanently attached to the shell (i.e. glued-on rubber bands).
Glue may not be molded to form a "pod" or capsule around the egg.
The vehicle may be any shape but must fit in a 10 cm cube.
Vehicle MUST free-fall to the ground. (No 'parachute' device or "wing" may be employed).
Vehicle shall be designed to withstand a fall from a minimum height of ten meters.
Egg shell integrity must be able to be proven to be uncompromised after impact;
The egg must be able to be easily removed in order to prove this.
Materials:
|
Toothpicks (wooden only) |
no limit |
|
Rubber bands |
Not to exceed 3 cm in diameter; the width of the rubber must not excel 3mm |
|
Soda straws (any type) |
5 straws or 50 cm total length |
|
Paper (standard notebook type) |
ten (10) sheets; may NOT be wadded |
|
Tape |
60 cm of cellophane tape |
********
No other type of material is permissible ********
Egg Drop Point Distribution
The Challenge is worth 50 points
If, for any reason, the device is non-compliant with either the specifications or the delivery date, the device will not be tested and the point deductions will be as follows:
No late projects accepted!
|
Non-compliance with specifications: |
four (4) points deducted |
Ø
A completed vehicle designed and constructed according to specifications and delivered on time will earn 50 points.An egg surviving a fall from a height of ten meters shall earn an additional
Ten (10) points for a total of 60 points.
An egg surviving a fall from a height of fifteen meters shall earn an additional
fifteen (15) points for a total of 75 points.
(point additions shall be cumulative)
Additional extra credit points may be earned in the following category:
Best aesthetic design (5, 4 and 3 points for 1st three (3) places)