PURPOSE: To show that an egg can support unexpectedly high forces due to its curved shape.
DESCRIPTION: An egg is positioned vertically between the "egg crusher" base and top cylinder. The two surfaces are coated with heavy rubber discs to distribute the load. Up to 150 lbs of lead bricks (6 bricks) can be placed on the platform without breaking the egg. A dramatic finish to the exxperiment (other than the egg unexpectedly rupturing) is to unload the bricks and drop the egg about 6" onto a hard surface, which will smash the egg.
SUGGESTIONS: A foam rubber "lead brick" will be furnished on request. Scare the dickens out of your students by throwing the foam rubber brick into the group during the demonstration.
REFERENCES: (PIRA unavailable.)
EQUIPMENT: Egg crusher, eggs, and six lead bricks, as photographed.
SETUP TIME: 5 min. (1 day to furnish the egg.)
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