Post #16 - Egg Drop Lab

Our capsule will work because its a lightweight foam that has lots of air in it. Since it is lightweight and the equation for momentum is p=mv, when the mass is less, the momentum will be less. The foam will also absorb the force it has with the ground because the contact time with the ground will be greater. We will add paper towel around the egg so there is more protection and it is also lightweight.

When the capsule hit the ground, the forces exerted on the capsule came from the ground. The force exerted on the egg came from the paper towel and capsule. The force at which the capsule hit the ground is the same force the ground returned to the capsule. The force was then absorbed by the foam and paper towel. The contact time with the ground was increased because the foam was squished when it made contact with the ground.

Our capsule worked because it was lightweight and it had air inside the foam. Less mass means less momentum. Greater contact time with the ground means less force. The foam was able to absorb the force it made with the ground and prevent the egg from cracking. The paper towel surrounding the eggs purpose was to keep the egg still and prevent it from bouncing around and to add some protection. In a future experiment one thing that could improve our capsule is to put a box around the capsule filled with bubble wrap for more protection. The box and bubble wrap will add more contact time with the ground so there is less force applied on the egg.