Stand on an Egg

PIRA ID: 1J30.75

Location: B - 3

Objectives

Show that an egg can handle a 100 pound stress when the weight is properly distributed.

Instructions

  1. Fill the lower part of the apparatus with sand until it is about an inch below the opening on the side.
  2. Place egg through opening so that its large end rests in the sand. Nestle the egg until the bottom is about half an inch below the sand.
  3. Align the axis of the egg along the axis of the cylinder. Gently insert the aluminum piston into the cylinder with the neoprene end touching the egg. Carefully view the apparatus from several directions to ensure that the axis of the egg is vertical.
  4. Place the apparatus on the ground. The top of the aluminum piston should be a few inches above the end of the cylinder. Place the crate/stand next to the apparatus.
  5. Asking for volunteers who weigh less than 100 pounds (eggs can hold at least 80 lbs and are generally safe until 120 lb), have one stand on the crate.
  6. Stabilize the volunteer by holding their forearm with yours. Ask him/her to gently step onto the piston with the ball of one foot. They should avoid twisting as they step onto the piston.
  7. Volunteer should be able to entirely transfer their weight until they are standing on the piston.
  8. Help volunteer to step back onto the crate and dismount.

Most fresh eggs will support up to 110-120 pounds of weight before breaking.

After the demonstration you may wish to remove the egg and crack it open over a cup or trash can to show that it was raw.

Liberal use of paper towels on the floor extending from the opening in the cyclinder is encouraged before the demonstration is done. Usually 6 feet is enough.

Be careful with your aim. Should the egg break, it will likely come out at high velocity from the opening in the side of the cylinder. You may want to direct this along the paper towels on a tile floor, rather than towards the legs of an important person.

Students love to see a teacher stand on an egg, but frequently it breaks. Let the teachers go last.

If the egg does break, please clean up the floor and other mess. Take the apparatus to a sink, and, using soap and water, remove as much of the egg as possible after dumping all the sand and egg into a trashcan.