Can someone explain the physics behind the egg drop experiment?
If you raise a (one pound?) egg ten feet above the ground you will do 10 foot-pounds of work (force x distance) and it will now have 10 foot-pounds of potential energy of position (potential to return the work). If you drop the egg it will accelerate under the force of gravity and just before it ‘hits’ the ground all of its potential energy will be converted to kinetic energy of motion (velocity). If it hits a hard surface all the energy will be released instantly upon impact deforming (and breaking) the egg. If the egg is packed in protective material such as plastic bubbles, etc. the egg decelerates over a period of time smearing the conversion of energy and reducing any instantaneous force on the egg. The egg should also be protected from a concentration of force on it (from hitting a rock or even a flat surface). If the egg is in an egg-shaped holder, that will help distribute the forces of deceleration over the entire underside of the egg.
