Chapter 5, Problem 5TE

If you throw an egg against a wall, the egg will break. But if you throw it at the same speed into a sagging sheet, it may not break. Why?

To determine

The reason behind not breaking of an egg, when someone throws at a sagging sheet at the same speed as it threw to a wall.

Answer to Problem 5TE

The reason behind not breaking of an egg, when someone throws at a sagging sheet at the same speed as it threw to a wall is because the impact time of an egg increases resulting into lesser impact force.

Explanation of Solution

The egg breaks when it is thrown at the wall but not breaks when it is thrown at the sagging sheet. This is due to the impulse acted upon the egg, which is due to change in momentum. When a person throws an egg towards a rigid wall, it suddenly comes to rest. It means that the time of impact will be shorter, resulting in a greater impact force. This impact force is absorbed by the egg, making the egg break. Whereas, when a person throws egg on a sagging sheet, the time of impact increases resulting in smaller impact force. The greater time of impact allows the egg to survive the force and hence result in no breaking.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the reason behind of not breaking of an egg, when someone throws at a sagging sheet at the same speed as it threw to a wall is because the impact time of an egg increases resulting into lesser impact force.