TOPIC:

ID Code: B4-33
Purpose: 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 experiment (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. The center photograph shows an egg in the crusher with 50 pounds of lead on it; the photograph at the right is a close-up of the egg in the center photo.
Availability: Available