Your bubble wrap solution is brilliant. That alone I think would do the trick. The only additions that might improve your odds are a surface similar to an eggshell which distributes the impact force around the circumference of the shell instead allowing to force to focus totally inward. And, if the rules haven't forbid it, how about a parachute? *grin*
Used to deal with these problems all the time in model rocketry (NAR935). Once launched and recovered six raw eggs using a three-engine cluster of 30-lb/sec. Coaster model rocket engines (somebody out there might know what I am talking about.). There was another event where the idea was launch first, fly lowest and land closest to target -- I designed a rocket out of a plastic badminton birdy that was pretty much assured of doing the last two best. Had another one that blew the expended engine out the back end and converted into a heli-recovery (much like the paper helicopters you can make out of paper). Won the model rocket nationals R&D event with a design that pressurized the exhaust blast at launch inside a pop tube which literally 'blew' the model rocket to a faster initial acceleration and higher altitude.
Fun stuff. Great memories.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
On Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 06:04 PM, Desert Eagle wrote:
OK, Here is the problem,
I was "Notified" today at dinner, that "I" was selected by Amanda for
her science project assistant. Here is the task. We have until Monday night
to design, build and "Test" a protective shell to house an Egg, (not hard
boiled but raw). It must protect the Egg in a toss from a 35' building roof.
If the egg survives unbroken, she gets a 100, if it brakes she gets a "0".
Each student "Picked" their partner, (parent or sibling), at school. The
instructions read that we can use "Any" resource to construct the protective
case, (IE, internet, friends, Nasa Employees whatever). The outside diameter
of the "Protective Case" can be no larger than 12". Our first thoughts are
to wrap the egg in small bubble wrap, inside larger bubble wrap and then
encase it in some form of protective case. That is our basic Idea. Anyone
ever done this successfully ??? We need help and have to construct and test
the prototype by NLT Sunday.
Jimi
