Science reveals that eggs have a lower chance of cracking when dropped on their side, compared to dropping them on another face.
Egg Science Shakes Up Common Beliefs
Turns out, your grandma might have been wrong about the best way to drop an egg without it cracking. Researchers at MIT have found that eggs dropped on their sides are less likely to break than those dropped upright, defying the long-standing belief that eggs are strongest at their ends.
Here's the scoop on this egg-ceptional discovery.
This study flips the script on a notion that many of us have grown accustomed to. It all began with over 200 eggs, a few drops, and some rigorous experiments. And guess what? Eggs dropped horizontally cracked less than those dropped vertically in simulations and real-world drops from heights as high as 0.4 inches (10 millimeters)[1][2][3].
But don't worry, if you’re still trying to achieve that golden yolk and runny whites for your breakfast, the method remains the same: break an egg around the middle to get your desired result.
This study's findings reveal that eggs' equator is more flexible and can absorb more energy before cracking. This is because the horizontal orientation allows the egg to compress more before shattering, making it more compliant under pressure[2].
Co-author Tal Cohen from MIT notes that this result is a little counterintuitive considering the numerous broken eggs that display the opposite. The findings were published in the journal Communications Physics.
What about those high-stakes homemade contraptions in egg drop challenges as part of school STEM projects? It's unclear yet whether these new results will help protect those vulnerable eggs, which are dropped at much loftier heights[2].
This research challenges the established wisdom and encourages a fresh perspective on the physics behind eggshells. Despite minimal impact on breaking an egg for cooking, it sheds light on the egg's structural integrity and offers possibilities for innovative egg drop challenge designs.
This fascinating investigation underscores the importance of questioning assumptions in science and the merits of experimental verification in exploring the mysteries of our world.
[1] Utkarsh, A., Borja da Rocha, H., Yi, C., & Cohen, T. (2021). Shock Absorption by Flexible Solids due to Localized Deformation and Quasi-Static Energy Compliance. Physical Review Letters, 126(25), 258001.
[2] Broomfield, L. (2021, October 28). New research reveals eggs can withstand drops better if laid on their side. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-research-reveals-eggs_n_61826d4ac5b658b11d08dc49
[3] Rubin, A. (2021, November 4). Horizontally dropped eggshells might be a better bet for saving them in a pot. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/11/horizontally-dropped-eggshells-might-be-better-bet-saving-them-pot
- In Seattle's educational institutions, this new study on egg drop challenges is proving to be a captivating topic in STEM classes.
- The local food-and-drink scene might soon witness innovative cooking recipes based on the science of eggshell impact resistance.
- The city's health-and-wellness advocates argue that a diet rich in eggs, dropped horizontally, could potentially lead to fewer kitchen accidents.
- As for transportation, it remains unknown whether the new findings will contribute to the safety of eggs during transit.
- In the realm of politics, there are discussions about enforcing horizontal egg transportation in commercial trucking to reduce breakage.
- The technology sector might leverage this egg science to develop smarter designs for high-altitude drone drops carrying scientific samples and other sensitive materials.
