placing 4 raw eggs in individual cut out egg carton, i space each egg at equal distance apart forming a rectangual shape. then i place a heavy cement block, about 30 pounds, carefully on the 4 eggs. the eggs are able to hold the block up, not breaking. how can this be possible? ned to know by this weekend. thanks
Two reasons. 1. You've evenly distributed the weight over four points. That means each egg is only holding 7.5 lbs. 2. The curved shape of the eggs is structurally superior to just about any other shape in nature. It's incredibly strong. That's why domes and arches are so common in architecture.
As Privratnik (Ben) has stated above: The weight of the cement block has been evenly distributed over four points. But equally--if not more importantly--arches-even those made of eggshells--are very strong because they exert horizontal as well as vertical forces to resist the pressure of heavy loads. The crown of an eggshell can support heavy books or a cement block because the weight is distributed evenly along the structure of the egg. To make a structure strong with a tension weak material, such as an eggshell, forces must create compression and avoid tension. Fortunately, the arch/dome shape of the eggshell fulfills these requirements. For example, it is easy to crush an egg by squeezing it from the sides. While it is difficult to crush an egg by squeezing it from its ends. Two factors contribute to a structure's strength are material and shape. The eggshell is weak in tension and strong in compression. Chicks are not strong, but by poking with their peaks from inside the egg, they are able to break out of their shells. They break the shell using tension.
Its all about weight distribution. The spherical or dome shape of the egg shell helps distribute the weight through out the shell of the egg. You can expand this research by looking up dome shape buildings.
It can hold it up because the egg's shape spreads the weight out evenly throughout the shell, therefore not breaking. Also, 9 eggs can hols up a full-grown woman. Hope this helps.
Hi. When I was a kid, I put A whole raw egg (uncracked) into a jar of white vinegar for a week. This made the egg rubbery and I then bounced it on a cement floor. This really works and little kids love it. Have a nice day.
