Parachute Egg Drop Challenge

January 31, 2013

Background

• Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of objects through air.– The amount of air resistance acting on an object depends

on the size, shape, and speed of the object.

• Air resistance and the Parachute– Understand that gravity will pull the parachute down to

the ground, but the large surface of the plastic bags will create more air resistance.

– This eventually leads to the parachutes hitting terminal speed, where the air resistance counteracts the gravity and the egg drifts safely to the ground.

Learning Objectives

• I can explain the effect of gravity and air resistance on falling objects when applying it to my group’s parachute.

• Design and build a parachute that will carry a raw egg to the ground without breaking, using the sandwich bags.

Hypothesis

• Constructing a parachute for an egg will increase the air resistance of the egg which will slow it down to a safe terminal velocity.

Procedures for Constructing Parachute• Cut a squares out of plastic trash bag. Square should be cut to a

dimension your group feels is the most effective.• Use a ruler to ensure that these measurements are precise. • Cut the squares using scissors. Cut four even pieces of string.• Tie a piece of string around the corners of the square. Tie the knot as

close to the end of the string as possible. • Put a small piece of Scotch tape on the corners of each square. This

helps to strengthen the link between the plastic and the string.• You will then be left with a parachute that has four pieces of string

dangling from each corner.• Tie the other ends of the string to the two corners of a sandwich bag

near the opening. Reinforce the connections with Scotch tape.• You should have a large bin liner square attached to a sandwich bag

with string. The sandwich bag will hold your egg.

Materials

• Scissors (1)• Ruler (1)• Marker (1)• Trash bag (1)• String ( 4 pieces)• Tape• Sandwich bag (2)

Designing the Parachute

• Size• Shape• String length• Vent?• Weight of an egg

Idea Board

Make Observations

• Watch to see which parachute catches the air and reaches terminal speed first.

• Watch for the change between falling and gliding to see this.

• Timekeeper #1 in group is to time the egg from rest to the point of the parachute hitting terminal velocity.

• Timekeeper #2 will begin timing once the air resistance counteracts the gravity and the egg drifts safely to the ground.

• Record your time readings.

Competition Rules

• The class will determine which parachute was more effective.

• Each egg parachute will be dropped from at least a 10’ height.

• Any egg that breaks on impact with the ground is an automatic out.