======Egg Drop Inertia======


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**Alternative titles:** Newton's 1st Law Egg Drop, Egg-drop trick
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Fill a large drinking glass about three-quarters full with water and place it on a sturdy table.
  - Center a metal pie pan on top of the glass.
  - Stand a cardboard tube vertically on the pan so that it is directly above the glass.
  - Carefully place an egg on top of the tube.
  - Stand behind the setup with your hand ready at the side of the pie pan.
  - In one swift motion, strike the edge of the pie pan horizontally. The pan and tube fly sideways while the egg, initially stationary, drops straight down into the glass of water.
  - Celebrate when the egg lands safely in the water without breaking!



====Links==== 
Egg Inertia - Mr Barry's Science Channel: 
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Egg Drop Demo (Newton's 1st Law) - Kids Fun Science: 
{{youtube>mp8DUm4UTrM?}}\\

📄 Egg Drop Inertia Challenge - Steve Spangler: [[https://stevespangler.com/experiments/egg-drop-inertia-trick/]]\\

📄 Egg-drop trick - Science Museum Group: [[https://learning.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/resources/egg-drop-trick/]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try longer cardboard tubes or taller glasses to see if the egg still lands safely.
  * Experiment with different egg sizes (small, large, jumbo).
  * Use multiple tubes and eggs on a tray to attempt two or three egg drops at once.
  * Replace the egg with a similar object (like a small ball) to reduce mess.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Use plastic instead of glass to avoid the risk of breakages.
  * Always wash hands after handling raw eggs to avoid salmonella exposure.
  * Keep paper towels handy in case an egg breaks.
  * Perform on a stable surface to prevent spills and breakage.
  * Strike the pie pan firmly and confidently to ensure success—hesitation increases the chance of a mess.



====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the egg fall straight down instead of following the pan’s motion?
  * How does this experiment demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion?
  * What role does gravity play in the egg’s final motion?
  * How would friction or a slower pan movement affect the result?
  * How is this demonstration similar to the classic tablecloth trick?