The Egg Drop Challenge!

You will need:

• 1 plastic cup of water with a mouth wide enough to fit the egg.

• 1 10” (25 cm) piece of cardboard or a small tray with a SMOOTH bottom

• 1 cardboard tube (paper towel or toilet paper tubes work well)

• 1 Egg (uncooked for more drama)

What to do:

1. Place the tray centered over the cup

2. Place the tube on its end in the center of the tray

3. Place the egg horizontally on the tube

4. When ready, strike the tray hard enough with your palm to send the tray flying, but not so hard you hit the glass of water. If all goes well, the tray and paper tube will go flying, but the egg will safely drop into the water.

How does it work?

INERTIA describes an object in terms of how much energy is needed to move it or stop it from moving. Since the tray and tube are very low mass (lightweight,) they have very little inertia, and will easily move out of the way.

The egg, however is heavier (has more inertia) and so it is not easily moved, leaving it in place for gravity to bring it down into the cup.