How Can I Create an Effective Parachute for My Egg Drop Project?

[Audience]

For a science project we have to make an ''egg protector''. It has to have:

-parachute and
-base to hold egg in

(I just joined 30 minutes ago and could not find a forum like this. So sorry if this is a duplicate.)

Aaaaaanyways, our group has to drop it from a 5m tall height, the egg cannot break.
To make matters worse, I've gotten an ESL and the dumbest boy in my class in my group . . . who ruined the project TWO times. Oh, and you cannot believe what some of the other groups made. (A giantic garbage bag attached to 3 HELIUM BALLOONS . . . -_-)
I've came up with this awesome base with absorbs the pressure and also streches, but I'm scratching my head with the parachute. I want to make one with actual physics, and NOT a giantic garbage bag attached to 3 helium balloons. Help!
I'm basically on my own on this. The PARACHUTE IS KILLING ME! Any ideas?

Thanks,
Audience

P.S. Please don't say giantic garbage bag. Or helium balloons.

 

[FlexGunship]

I still hold the record for best "Egg Drop" in my middle school. My design was featured twice in the local newspaper. Once when I used it to win, and again, several years later, when my younger brother repeated my victory.

Use two pieces of duct tape to secure an egg to a cardboard box lid. One requirement is that the sides of the lid must be taller than the egg (just in case it lands upside down). Just the lid! Discard the actual box. This design turns the entire transport mechanism into a parachute.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/pokeorder_2140_221715908

Other folks had complex parachutes, suspension mechanisms, one kid put his in Jell-o, and a hundred other ideas.

I duct-taped an egg to a box lid. Took 5 seconds. Survived not only the initial drop, but also the endurance test (dropped until broken). Never broke. Also, our test was from the fourth story window of our middle school onto the parking lot. You can throw it like a Frisbee, drop it upside down, sideways, or whatever. I had to replace one corner of duct-tape ONCE. No padding, nothing.

 

[Audience]

Nice Idea.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

We have a ton of threads on this already, please use the search.

 

[LudusRex]

Hello! It sounds like you have a challenging project ahead of you. Don't worry, there are many different ways you can approach creating an egg protector with a parachute and base.

First, let's start with the parachute. A parachute works by creating air resistance, which slows down the fall of an object. You can create a parachute using lightweight materials such as paper, plastic, or fabric. Make sure to test different materials to see which one creates the most air resistance. You can also experiment with the shape and size of the parachute to see how it affects the fall of the egg.

Next, let's talk about the base. You mentioned that you have already come up with a base that absorbs pressure and stretches. That's great! You can use materials such as foam, bubble wrap, or even a rubber band to create a cushion for the egg. Make sure to test the base by dropping it from different heights to see how well it protects the egg.

Another important factor to consider is the weight of your egg protector. The heavier it is, the faster it will fall and the more force it will experience upon impact. Try to keep your egg protector as light as possible while still providing enough protection for the egg.

Finally, don't be discouraged by what other groups have created. Everyone has their own ideas and approaches, and it's important to focus on your own project and make it the best it can be. Keep experimenting and testing different designs until you find one that works well for your egg protector.

Good luck with your project and don't hesitate to reach out for more help or ideas!