Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to investigate various egg drop designs and determine
whether certain designs were more effective than others. This experiment focused on the effects
of parachutes and cushioning agents in protecting the egg from the cracking force felt upon
impact. Using a plastic trash bag as a parachute and flour as a cushioning agent, our experiment
was set up to observe whether using only one design element (parachute or cushioning agent)
was able to protect the egg just as well as a design using both components. Our data revealed that
the parachute and cushioning agent alone were ineffective in preventing the egg from cracking,
however when both elements were utilized in the same trial, it was successful in sheltering the
egg. The results of this research helped expand our knowledge of effective design strategies and
inspired us to test different variables in future trials.
Data:
Design
Egg (Control)
Parachute
Cushioning Agent
Parachute + Cushioning Agent
Number of Successful Designs
Number of Unsuccessful Designs

Cracked Egg (Yes/No)

Yes
Yes
Yes
No
1
2

Cracked Egg from Cushioning Agent Trial:

Results:

Without support, an egg dropped from the sixth story of the Kenan Stadium will crack. In
comparing the effectiveness of various designs, three separate trials were conducted at the same
testing site (Kenan Stadium). In the trial that attempted to control the rate of descent, we found
that the parachute was unable to protect the egg from the force of impact. In the trial where only
a cushioning agent was used, the egg also cracked. The egg shattering in this trial was likely due
to the fact that the cushioning agent had a high overall mass and taking into account the
relationship Force=Mass*Acceleration, where acceleration is increasing at 9.81 m/s2, the force
of the impact was greater than what the cushioning agent was able to absorb. For the trial where
both a parachute and a cushioning agent was utilized, the egg was adequately protected, as the
combination of reducing the velocity of the drop and surrounding the egg in flour provided a
secure environment that was able to endure the cracking force.
Conclusion:
The trial that incorporated both a parachute and cushioning agent was the only design that
successfully protected the egg from cracking. For the trials that had just the parachute or just the
cushioning agent, both were unable to withstand the impact and redirect the cracking force away
from the egg. The data collected from this experiment validate the hypothesis that integrating
elements of design that address both rate of descent and cushioning will sufficiently prevent the
egg from cracking.
The results of this experiment may have been different if instead of dropping the eggs
from the sixth story, the drop off point was lower (i.e. closer to the ground) and if more trials
were conducted. Both of these points should be considered in future trials, which can provide us
with supplemental evidence that can expand and advance our understanding of egg drop science.
Additionally, in future trials, different materials could be used as parachutes and cushioning

agents to evaluate whether the results were influenced by the type of design or type of material
used to fulfill those roles (i.e. alternative supplies instead of plastic bags and flour).