This might sound like commonsense – and is echoed by scientists communicators, and even ChatGPT. But it’s not true. New research shows that eggs are less likely crack when they land sideways than on their ends.
According a study published in Communications Physicsa simulation of the classroom science experiment showed that the hen’s eggs shell is better able withstand the impact of falling when it lands on its side. While it’s true that eggs are more durable when loaded vertically in static stress testing equipment, many commentators assume this is also true for dynamic scenarios involving a falling yolk. The authors of the paper stated that
“Through hundreds of experiments and a set of static and dynamic simulations, we demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the likelihood that an egg breaks when oriented horizontally as opposed to vertically, and offer a concrete and intuitive explanation as to why this is the case,” eggs are stronger when loaded vertically into static stress test equipment.
MIT Associate Professor Tal Cohen and her co-workers dropped 180 eggs from three different heights – 8, 9 and 10 mm – onto a hard surface. They found that, on average eggs dropped vertically broke when they were dropped from lower heights.
They also compiled a number of AI responses, YouTube Videos, and online articles which repeated the now-debunked statement that eggs are more resilient when they land on their end. The paper stated that
“These results and the associated analysis demonstrate the importance of specificity of language and the dangers of appealing to ‘common sense’ in the physics classroom while having wide-ranging implications due to the ubiquity of shell structures in nature and in the man-made world,” small ocean swirls may have an outsized effect on climate, NASA satellite shows. Researchers argue that claims of ‘open AIs’ are often open lies. They point out that, while it’s true that eggs are more durable when loaded vertically in static stress testing equipment, many commentators assume this is also true for dynamic scenarios involving a dropping egg. The paper reported
“In contrast to static loading, to remain intact following a dynamic impact, a body must be able to absorb all of its kinetic energy by transferring it into reversible deformation,” .
“It is evident now that the flaw in the common argument is with the definition of a ‘strong’ egg. The preponderance of STEM communicators understand that an egg is stiffer in one direction, but they equate this with ‘strength’ in all other senses. However, eggs need to be tough, not stiff, in order to survive a fall.”
“Our results and analysis serve as a cautionary tale about how language can affect our understanding of a system, and improper framing of a problem can lead to misunderstanding and miseducation. We hope that this revised framing of the problem will help equip budding scientists and engineers with a better understanding of the way in which objects and structures react to impact and dynamic loads.” (r)
