======Crumple Zones Egg Car======


<WRAP right box>
**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Egg Car Safety Model
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Build a simple model car from a box, toy car frame, or cardboard with space to hold an egg as the "passenger."  
  - Place the egg securely inside the car, making sure it won’t roll out.  
  - Roll the car down a ramp so it crashes into a wall or solid object. Observe what happens to the egg.  
  - Add a sponge or other cushioning material to the front of the car to represent a crumple zone.  
  - Repeat the test, rolling the car down the ramp and observing whether the egg is protected this time.



====Links==== 
Egg Car Project - Design and Crash Test Your Car - Point Source Science: 
{{youtube>aFPSX5ZCzdY?}}\\


📄 Paul South's Egg Project Page: [[https://crumplezoneps.weebly.com/]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try different materials for the crumple zone (foam, bubble wrap, cardboard) and compare their effectiveness.  
  * Change the ramp height to increase speed and impact force.  
  * Test with other fragile items like a water balloon instead of an egg.  
  * Compare cars with crumple zones at the front, back, or sides.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Handle eggs carefully to avoid mess and slipping hazards.  
  * Clean up any broken eggs immediately.  
  * Ensure the ramp and crash area are stable and free of sharp objects.  
  * Supervise students closely when rolling cars down ramps.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the egg break without a crumple zone but survive when a sponge is added? (The crumple zone absorbs energy by increasing the time of impact, reducing the force on the egg.)  
  * How is this similar to real car safety design? (Cars are designed with crumple zones to protect passengers by sacrificing the car structure to absorb energy.)  
  * Which materials worked best as crumple zones and why? (Materials that compress slowly and absorb energy protect the egg better.)  
  * What happens if the ramp is made steeper? (The car has more energy, so stronger crumple zones are needed to protect the egg.)