Vertical bounce of a plastic egg

Abstract

Abstract The vertical bounce of a plastic egg was investigated by dropping the egg on a horizontal surface and filming the result with a video camera. If the egg is dropped on one end then it bounces just like a spherical ball. If the top end of the egg is pointing forwards or backwards when it lands on the surface, or if the egg is spinning when it lands, then the bounce is very different. The egg can bounce forwards or backwards and it can bounce to a large height or only a very small height. The experiment would be suitable for a student project. It involves both translational and rotational motion of an object subject to an impact force and a torque.