Recent diameter research egg discovers that when dropped on their side, chicken eggs are significantly less likely to crack. If you drop them vertically, there is a much higher probability of breaking. This research, led by Tal Cohen and co-authors, is fruitful for applications from cooking techniques to container design. Those results were just published in the journal Communications Physics. In doing so, they provide important clues as to how eggs can withstand so much punishment without losing their integrity.
The researchers performed a series of 180 drop tests to assess how eggs react when dropped in two orientations: vertical and side-on. By analyzing the results, they aimed to determine the force required for cracking and the overall durability of eggs during impact.
Experimental Methodology
In their study, the researchers dropped chicken eggs from various heights and in different orientations to determine which orientation yielded the best results. Eggs were subjected to drops from three different heights: 8, 9, and 10 millimeters. This analysis used an experimental methodology that quantified the bending force required to break the eggs in both axes of orientation.
One of their key findings was that eggs dropped vertically were more likely to crack than eggs dropped horizontally. Over 45% of eggs that fell from a height of only 8 millimeters broke. This probably illustrates more than anything just how vulnerable they are, even from relatively short falls. Under these conditions, less than 10% of the eggs dropped flat horizontally from the same height cracked. This indicates that there is a large difference in durability based on how they are oriented.
Force Measurements and Findings
To better understand how much impact the eggs could resist, the researchers dropped 60 eggs and crushed them in compression tests. They then used this to determine the force needed to crack eggs oriented in both positions. The researchers found that it took about 45 newtons to crack the eggs. That was the case even when the eggs were oriented upright versus sideways.
There was one significant difference in how much horizontally-loaded eggs could compress before breaking. The increased compressibility means that side-on drops take impact forces in stride. This absorption is what has been compared to vertical drops to prevent high rates of breakage.
Implications and Applications
These key findings from this research can serve as a springboard for impacting industries of all kinds. How to avoid breaking eggs, for instance, might improve packing techniques to prevent breakage during shipping and storage. Chefs and other culinary professionals will be able to use this information to better prepare eggs in their operations.
Another finding that was corroborated in the study included the fact that the orientation of the egg is crucial to its breaking point. Surprisingly, the orientation of the egg, specifically if the pointed end was pointed down when performing vertical drops, did not impact cracking in these vertical drop tests. This indicates that the general shape and alignment play a significant role in influencing the strength of an egg.