Lander
BLOG #1 In this project, we had to build a landing system that could protect an egg from an 18 ft, or 50ft drop. We were only able to use trash/recycling stuff. (I.e. water bottles, cardboard, etc.)
Our egg lander works by using an insanely large shock absorber that not only slows down the descent to the lander, but also decreases the force being applied to the egg. On top of that, we have a parachute to make sure the lander lands upright, and a egg container that makes sure the egg lands pointy side first (the point of the egg can withstand the most force). The unit rate of the lander is 8.33333... feet per second. Our egg drop will be successful on landing day (the day we drop from 50 feet) because the parachute decreases the maximum velocity by a lot. This means that while the lander will hit the ground with more force, it won't be enough force to break the egg (hopefully). This, combined with some more cotton balls, should be able to save the egg.
Below is a picture of our lander, the plastic bag in the background is the parachute.
Our egg lander works by using an insanely large shock absorber that not only slows down the descent to the lander, but also decreases the force being applied to the egg. On top of that, we have a parachute to make sure the lander lands upright, and a egg container that makes sure the egg lands pointy side first (the point of the egg can withstand the most force). The unit rate of the lander is 8.33333... feet per second. Our egg drop will be successful on landing day (the day we drop from 50 feet) because the parachute decreases the maximum velocity by a lot. This means that while the lander will hit the ground with more force, it won't be enough force to break the egg (hopefully). This, combined with some more cotton balls, should be able to save the egg.
Below is a picture of our lander, the plastic bag in the background is the parachute.
The Lander in this picture is not our final draft, the revisions to this lander will be adding a larger cardboard bottom of the sandwich.
BLOG # 2 Our Lander was a HUGE success, Thanks to the larger base, the lander Dropped the 30ft, landed in the square, didn't bounce, and allowed the egg to survive! Our base was about 2ft*2ft, and the dope cardboard was about 1ft*1ft. The crumple zone is 4in tall, the cup is 5in tall, and the strings are 1 ft long. If I could redo the lander, I would add a better egg container (one that doesn't require 5 minutes to set close or open). If I could suggest something to a new student doing the egg drop, I would tell them not to rely on parachutes, they make it SO much harder to land in the square.
BLOG # 2 Our Lander was a HUGE success, Thanks to the larger base, the lander Dropped the 30ft, landed in the square, didn't bounce, and allowed the egg to survive! Our base was about 2ft*2ft, and the dope cardboard was about 1ft*1ft. The crumple zone is 4in tall, the cup is 5in tall, and the strings are 1 ft long. If I could redo the lander, I would add a better egg container (one that doesn't require 5 minutes to set close or open). If I could suggest something to a new student doing the egg drop, I would tell them not to rely on parachutes, they make it SO much harder to land in the square.