Dropping an egg without breaking it is a classic science experiment, often used in school challenges. Conventional wisdom suggests holding the egg vertically, like an arch, for the best chance of survival. However, new research from MIT challenges this long-held belief.
MIT engineers recently conducted a study, published in Communications Physics, which investigated the best way to drop an egg without cracking the shell. They carried out nearly 200 drop tests and discovered, surprisingly, that dropping an egg horizontally significantly increases its chances of remaining intact. This finding contradicts the common advice given in egg drop competitions and even some educational resources.
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Study researcher and engineer Tal Cohen, an associate professor at MIT, explains that the prevailing wisdom stems from the idea that an egg’s vertical structure mimics an arch, which effectively distributes loads and forces. However, this static principle doesn’t necessarily translate to dynamic impacts like a drop.
Cohen and her team initially used leftover eggs from an MIT egg drop challenge for their preliminary experiments. These early tests proved inconclusive, leading them to embark on a more rigorous and extensive research project.
The researchers dropped a total of 180 eggs, both vertically and horizontally, onto a hard surface. The eggs were dropped in sets of 60 at three different heights: 8, 9, and 10 millimeters. The results revealed a clear advantage for horizontal drops. For instance, at a height of 8 millimeters, over half of the vertically dropped eggs broke, while fewer than 10% of the horizontally dropped eggs suffered the same fate. Further testing confirmed that horizontally dropped eggs could withstand greater compression before fracturing.
This seemingly simple experiment highlights how intuition can sometimes mislead us, even in scientific contexts. Cohen notes that people tend to grasp concepts like stiffness and strength, which are relevant in static situations. However, when dynamics are involved, toughness becomes a crucial factor. She compares a glass ball to a rubber ball. The glass ball is stiffer and potentially stronger, yet it’s more likely to shatter upon impact. The rubber ball, on the other hand, can deform and absorb kinetic energy, increasing its survivability.
The MIT study has implications beyond egg dropping. Many structures in nature and engineering, like eggs, possess thin shells protecting their contents. Cohen believes this research could influence how we design and understand these fragile structures.
In conclusion, the MIT study demonstrates that dropping an egg horizontally offers a better chance of preserving its integrity than the traditionally recommended vertical drop. This finding underscores the importance of rigorous experimentation and challenges our intuitive understanding of physics. While the study may not revolutionize the world, it provides valuable insights into the mechanics of impact and the properties of thin-shelled structures. Perhaps next time you’re handling eggs in the kitchen, you’ll remember this research and adopt the horizontal approach!
