Humpty Dumpty Free Fall Egg Drop

"Humpty – Dumpty Falls Off the Wall And Into the Frying Pan Lab"

Purpose:
To work collaboratively in small groups to design and perform an investigation to test the time it will take for an egg to land in the frying pan on the moving teacher’s head at the correct location. To use flip cameras to capture the inquiry process, results, and presentation of lab to classmates/school.

Procedure:
1. Utilize equations to determine necessary drop time and drop point.
2. Use correct SI units to make appropriate measurements prior to drop.
3. To analyze and explain the physical concept of free fall and relate
these to horizontal motion/ kinmatics.
4. To capture the inquiry process using flip video cameras and then
utilize I Movie software to create lab video.
4. Communicate findings and draw conclusions from investigation using
I Movie on school website or on classroom Smart Board.

Vocabulary:
Free fall gravity acceleration displacement Final velocity

initial velocity constant acceleration

Materials:
Plastic bags Raincoat Tape Measuring tape Frying pan Flip Camera Eggs Worksheet

Lab Block 1 or Day 1:
1. Use Flip video cameras throughout lab to capture lab process
2. Review physical concepts and equations relating to free fall and
linear motion.
3. Lab groups obtain worksheet to write out calculations for drop.
4. Discuss what information or data may be necessary for calculations.
5. Provide data and perform measurements relevant to investigations.
6. Perform calculations in lab groups.
7. Have teacher check calculations.

Lab Block 2 or Day 2:
1. Set up drop area based on calculations.
2. Obtain egg from teacher and begin experiment.
3. Make sure to video all calculation and measurement steps by students

Assessment:
* 40 pts(5 calculations/5 drop/ 10 final summary paper/20 group video)
• To receive full credit, each student must turn the group calculation sheet
(copies can be made of this), which shows equations that demonstrate
a reasonable plan for when to drop the egg.

• Each student writes their own one page lab write-up that stresses the
concepts of free fall, an analysis of what the group did right, what it did
wrong, and the possible ways for improvement.

Adapted from a free fall lesson plan done by C. Milcetich at Firestone High School