Overview
- MIT researchers conducted 180 drop tests and compression experiments to compare the resilience of chicken eggs in vertical and horizontal orientations.
- Findings published in *Communications Physics* confirm that eggs dropped horizontally are significantly less likely to crack than those dropped vertically, challenging long-held assumptions.
- Horizontally dropped eggs absorbed more impact energy due to greater flexibility around their equator, despite requiring the same force to crack as vertically oriented eggs.
- The study highlights confusion between stiffness, strength, and toughness, correcting misconceptions often taught in STEM education and popular science.
- Researchers suggest the findings could inspire bio-inspired engineering designs and lead to innovations in egg packaging to reduce breakage.