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Scientific findings reveal a reduced likelihood of eggs breaking when dropped on their side.

Eggs have fewer chances of breaking when dropped on their side during falls, as suggested by recent studies. Implications for cracking eggs during a breakfast preparation include trying this sideways approach for potentially reduced shell breakage.

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Eggs tend to exhibit lower breakage rates when they land on their side during drops, according to...
Eggs tend to exhibit lower breakage rates when they land on their side during drops, according to recent studies. This suggests potential implications for the most efficient method for cracking an egg in the mornings for breakfast.

Scientific findings reveal a reduced likelihood of eggs breaking when dropped on their side.

Breaking Eggs Down: Horizontal Falls Result in Fewer Cracks

In a surprising twist, scientists have discovered that eggs are less likely to crack when dropped on their side rather than on their end. This revelation challenges long-held assumptions about how eggs hold up against impacts.

A group of researchers, led by Hudson Borja da Rocha of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, put over 200 eggs to the test in various experiments. Contrary to popular belief, eggs didn't break faster or slower when dropped vertically compared to horizontally. The egg's equator, believed to be the weaker part, turns out to be more flexible and able to absorb more energy from the fall, hence reducing the likelihood of cracking.

The misconception that eggs are strongest at their ends comes from their packaging in cartons and the popular notion that the arc-shaped bottom of an egg redirects the force and softens the blow. However, when eggs were compressed in both directions, they cracked under equal amounts of force.

The researchers also ran simulations and dropped eggs horizontally and vertically from heights up to 0.4 inches (10 millimeters). The results showed that eggs dropped horizontally cracked less often. Materials scientist Marc Meyers with the University of California, San Diego, who wasn't part of the study, echoed this finding, stating that the common perception about vertical drops being stronger was debunked.

This counterintuitive finding sheds light on the fragility and resilience of eggs in various scenarios, including school STEM projects involving egg drop challenges. It remains to be seen if the new results can help protect these vulnerable eggs when dropped from greater heights.

According to Tal Cohen, a study co-author from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "Countless broken eggs demonstrate the courage to go and challenge these very common, accepted notions."

The Associated Press Health and Science Department, with funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, conducted this research. The AP is fully responsible for all content.

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  1. The horizontal falls of Seattle's new light rail stations might soften the impact on eggs, making them less likely to crack during construction.
  2. Ramakrishnan, a health-and-wellness enthusiast in Seattle, advocates for a balanced lifestyle that incorporates nutrition and food-and-drink choices that are gentle on eggshells.
  3. In the realm of education, children at Seattle schools can use this egg-dropping discovery as a science project, exploring the relationship between transportation (drop heights) and the cracking of eggs.
  4. Politics aside, this egg-dropping research, stemming from the University of California, San Diego and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offers a fascinating interplay between science and technology.
  5. The misconception about eggs being strongest at their ends could influence the design of Seattle's Pike Place Market, as they are sold in cartons and have an arc-shaped bottom, redirecting the force and yet softening the blow.
  6. The findings of the egg-dropping research could extend beyond Seattle, potentially leading to advancements in health-and-wellness and transportation industries that address the handling and packaging of eggs.
  7. This egg-dropping study conducted by Hudson Borja da Rocha and his team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invites us to reconsider our assumptions, reminding us that sometimes looking at things from a different angle can lead to surprising results, as apparent in the vibrant cityscape of Seattle.

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