Understanding Impulse and Momentum in Physics Experiment with Eggs

Students' Experiment on Egg Drop

Students perform an experiment in which they drop two eggs with equal mass from a balcony. In the first trial, the egg hits the ground and breaks. In the second trial, the egg hits a foam cushion and does not break or bounce.

Impact of Gravity on Falling Objects

Gravity causes an object to fall to Earth when dropped. Drop an egg from eye level so that it breaks. When the egg hits the ground with a given force, the ground exerts the same force back on the egg. The faster the egg falls, the greater this force is. If too large a force is delivered to the egg shell, the egg will crack.

Reducing Impact Force to Prevent Egg Cracking

To keep the egg from cracking, we need to minimize the force on the egg shell when it hits the ground. Reducing the impact speed also reduces the impact force. Distributing the impact force over enclosure also reduces the force exerted on the egg. Since the change in momentum is fixed, impulse can be controlled by increasing the impact time.

Understanding Impulse and Momentum

Impulse is a force applied over time and is equal to the change in momentum, for a constant mass. The impulse was greater in the first experiment because the egg broke. The impulse was greater in the second experiment because the egg did not break. The impulse was the same in both experiments because the egg came to a stop. The impulse cannot be determined without the mass and velocity of the eggs.

Question:

What was the correct explanation for the impulse in the given experiment?

Answer:

The impulse was the same in both experiments because the egg came to a stop. Hope this helps, Explanation: Because it is just got the same question on the Impulse and Momentum quiz.