Want to amaze kids with a simple yet mind-blowing physics experiment? The Egg Drop Inertia Science Project is the perfect way to demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion—also known as the Law of Inertia—in action!
With just a few household items, you can create a thrilling challenge that will leave kids in awe as they watch an egg magically drop straight into a glass of water! Let’s dive into the fun.
Why Kids Will Love This Experiment
✅ Looks like a magic trick! 🎩✨
✅ Hands-on way to learn physics concepts
✅ Easy to set up with household materials
✅ Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
Supplies Needed
- A tall glass of water
- A paper plate
- A toilet paper roll (or paper towel roll cut shorter)
- A raw egg
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Set Up the Experiment
Fill a tall glass with water and place it on a flat surface.
Lay a paper plate on top of the glass.
Stand the toilet paper roll upright in the center of the plate.
Carefully place the egg on top of the roll, making sure it’s balanced.
Step 2: The Egg Drop Challenge
Get ready! Using a quick, firm sideways swipe, knock the paper plate off the glass.
The plate and roll will fly away, but the egg will drop straight into the water! 💦🥚
Step 3: Observe and Repeat!
Try again! Experiment with different speeds and see what happens when you push too slow or too fast.
The Science Behind It: Newton’s First Law of Motion
This experiment demonstrates Newton’s First Law of Motion, also called the Law of Inertia:
🌀 Objects at rest stay at rest – The egg isn’t moving at first. It wants to stay still!
💨 Objects in motion stay in motion – The plate and roll move when you swipe them, but the egg doesn’t move sideways because no force is directly applied to it.
⬇️ Gravity takes over – Without the roll holding it up, the egg falls straight down into the water instead of flying sideways!
This principle explains why:
A passenger jerks forward when a car suddenly stops
Dishes stay put when a tablecloth is quickly pulled away
You need to push something to get it moving!
Fun Variations to Try!
Different Heights – Try stacking two toilet paper rolls and see if the egg still drops correctly!
Fast vs. Slow Swipe – What happens if you push the plate too slowly? Does the egg fall the same way?
Multiple Eggs Challenge – Can you balance two or three eggs on separate rolls and knock them all into different glasses?
Safety Tips
Always do this experiment over a tray or towel to catch spills.
Use a deep glass to prevent water splashes.
If an egg breaks, clean up immediately and try again!
Final Thoughts
The Egg Drop Inertia Science Project is a super fun and easy way to introduce kids to physics. It’s a great STEM activity for classrooms, homeschool science, or just a fun challenge at home!
So grab an egg, set up your glass, and put Newton’s Law of Inertia to the test!
Would you like a printable experiment sheet for this? Let me know!
Kids Activities
Looking for more fun kids activities and other ideas to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun? Check out these:
Exploding Bag Experiment: A Fun & Fizzy Science Activity for Kids!
How to Make a Plastic Cup Marshmallow Shooter
How to Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar: A Fun and Educational Science Experiment
Elephant Toothpaste Experiment: A Fun & Foamy Science Activity!
Baking Soda and Balloon Experiment – Fun & Easy Science!
Easy Steps: How to Make Toilet Roll Ninjas – A Fun DIY Craft for Kids!
Easy Steps to Make New Year’s Poppers: A Fun DIY Celebration Craft
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