Unbreakable Egg-(Dennis Yong)

Author

Dennis Yong

Principle(s) Illustrated

1. Arches can absorb a large amount of force

2. Eggs are 3-dimensional arches

3. Buidings and bridges use this same principle

Standards

• • • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

    • Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

      • Connections to Nature of Science

        • Scientific Investigations Use a Variety of Methods

          • Scientific inquiry is characterized by a common set of values that include: logical thinking, precision, open-mindedness, objectivity, skepticism, replicability of results, and honest and ethical reporting of findings. (HS-LS1-3)

Prior knowledge & experience:

Students remember how easy it is to break an egg. All of them have cooked or seen eggs breaking easily before. A little tap on the egg causes the shell to fracture. This time, they will find themselves puzzled by the fact that they are unable to break the egg even using all their strengths.

Root question:

What will happen to the egg when you try to break it from top and bottom?

Target response:

The egg will not break even when they apply a large amount of force to the top and bottom. The 3-dimensional arches of the egg allows the force to distributed evenly along the eggs.

Common Misconceptions:

A common misconception of this is that students often think that eggs are easily-breakable and that they should have no problem pressing down on it.

Photographs and Movies