Speed and the Egg Parachute
Abstract
This was an experiment developed to determine the speed of two egg parachutes. The essential
question for this study was, how will the length of the strings affect the speed of an egg being
dropped? In this experiment, the variable being changed was the string length. Next, some of the
things that stay the same are the type of string and the parachute. Also, the egg, tape, and bubble
wrap will stay the same. After making the parachute using the materials find a large open space
to do the experiment. Next, at the right distance drop the egg and time it. Do this three times and
record it on a table. After changing the variable, do this pattern three more times. Gravity,
Friction, and Air Resistance affect all parts of the parachute. Finally, the conclusion drawn in this
study was that gravity, friction, and air resistance have a stronger effect on the egg parachute
with the larger strings.
Introduction
In the study being carried out forces such as friction, air resistance, and gravity will affect the
speed of an egg parachute. The essential question of the experiment is how the length of the
strings will affect the speed of an egg when being dropped. The hypothesis for this experiment is
that the egg parachute with the smaller strings will fall faster than the egg parachute with the
longer strings.
In the article many sources were used. The first being the article Friction which was a good
source that gave a lot of information about the topic. The next source was called Force. This did
not have very much information at all. The third and fourth sources used were Laws of Motion
and Contact Forces. They were both very good and gave lots of information regarding this study.
The last source for this study was an article called Gravity and Gravitation. It was very reliable
and well written for the topic being studied. Air Resistance for example, is a type of fluid friction
experienced by falling objects. This is a type of friction that deals with liquid and air. Gravity of
course refers to everyone and pulls things down to the earth. Lastly, the sources gave information
about Newton’s first law because the egg is at rest until acted upon by an outside force.
Materials and Methods
To complete this study the following items are needed including an egg, strings, tape, trash bag,
chair, and somewhere to drop the egg from. Also, a stopwatch, bubble wrap, and a pair of
scissors are needed. This study was developed and carried out at a home on the date of
November 13, 2011. In this experiment being carried out the variable to be changed is the length
of the strings. The controlled variables that were kept the same in the experiment were the
distance it was being dropped from, the tape, parachute, and lastly the bubble wrap.
During the experiment three trials were run. Then after changing the variable three more were
run. Finally, to begin this experiment cut a plastic trash bag twelve by twelve inches. Then, make
holes to stick the strings through. Four strings are needed about eighteen inches. Using scissors
poke four holes into the corners of the twelve by twelve and tie the four strings onto it. Next, use
tape to attach the strings to the egg. Additionally, wrap the egg with bubble wrap to support the
eggs landing to the ground. The correct distance to drop it from is eight feet. Have a stopwatch
ready to time the results, and then it’s time to drop the egg. Record the time it takes to hit the
ground on a table. Do this three times or trials. After recording all of the parts it’s time to change
your variable. This time the strings need to be at least six inches shorter. Also, it’s okay to just
cut the strings instead of using more. Lastly, do this three more times on a table.
Results
Table 1:
Time
(Seconds)
Distance
(Feet)
0.9
1.1
1.1
8
8
8
0.8
0.6
0.5
8
8
8
Table 2:
Time
(Seconds)
Distance
(Feet)
Figure 1:
Egg Drop Without Change
Distance (Feet)
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Time in Seconds
0.8
1
1.2
Figure 2:
Distance (Feet)
Egg Drop With Change
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Time in Seconds
In this study and experiment it was found that the egg drop parachute with the smaller strings
falls faster than the parachute with the larger strings.
The table shows on average the parachute with the shorter strings falls at seven point seven six
seconds and the one with the larger at twelve point six nine seconds. This shows that the
parachute with the longer strings drops slower.
Discussion
These results show the hypothesis developed before this study was correct so no further research
was needed. This hypothesis was true because when the strings are longer it allows for more air
resistance and fluid friction which slows it down. So this means that the parachute with the
smaller strings doesn’t get as much of the friction experienced. Gravity impacts both of the
parachutes in some of the same ways it affects us.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my mother and father for helping and supervising me throughout the study.
Also, I would like to thank Mrs. Hite for directing and giving tips for this experiment.
Bibliography
Friction. (2011). Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved November 7, 2011, from Grolier Online
http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0166960-00
Gardner, R. (2011). Force. The New Book of Knowledge. Retrieved November 7, 2011, from
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Knight, D. C. (2011). Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727). The New Book of Knowledge. Retrieved
November 7, 2011, from Grolier Online
http://nbk.grolier.com/ncpage?tn=/encyc/article.html&id=a2020830-
Motion, Laws of. (2011). The New Book of Knowledge. Retrieved November 7, 2011, from
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