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Home » Engineering for kids » How strong is an eggshell?

How strong is an eggshell?

Modified: Feb 29, 2024 · Published: Feb 10, 2021 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

This egg experiment looks at how something we think of as being brittle and weak can actually hold a heavy load under certain conditions. We’re going to investigate how strong an eggshell is by using half shells to make a bridge.

How strong is an eggshell?

eggshell bridge with books on top - bridge is made from half egg shells

You’ll need

  • at least four eggs ( we broke a few making the domes )
  • a pen
  • scissors or a sharp knife
  • heavy books

How to make an eggshell bridge

  • Tap the end of an egg gently on a hard surface to break it. Empty out the contents ( maybe use it to make scrambled eggs? ) and rinse the inside of the shell. You’ll need four eggshells (so probably more than four eggs, as the domes can be tricky to make).  Take a moment to think how brittle and easy to break the eggshell is.

Method 1

  • Draw a line around the egg as evenly as possible, then using the line as a guide, carefully score the shell. Ask an adult to do this.  It is worth spending a lot of time on this step, as we have found it frustratingly difficult.  Ensure the scoring is continuous and completely encircles the egg.

Method 2 – the easiest

  • Very carefully break off pieces of shell up to around the centre point.  You need four half eggshells of the same height.  Scissors sometimes work, too.
  • Place the four shells in a rectangle shape, and slowly place books on top. See how many books you can add before the eggshells crack.
Find out about the strength of dome shapes with this easy egg experiment for kids #scienceforkids #eggexperiment #scienceathome

Image taken from Snackable Science

How strong is an eggshell?

Some shapes are stronger than others.  Eggs which seem fragile are actually very strong in certain ways (try crushing an egg by squeezing the ends between your hands (maybe over a sink or outside!).

Eggshells naturally form a dome shape.  Domes are very good at spreading weight evenly in all directions so that no part of the dome has to support more weight than another part.  The downward force of the weight of the books is transferred evenly by the dome shape down to the hard surface

Think more: What other shapes are strong? Where can you see these shapes in buildings or nature?

Starter: Have a look at bridges.

Try our investigation using paper to find out about strong shapes.

More Science for Kids

Make an unbreakable egg or try one of my other easy egg experiments for kids, including making a naked egg, a bouncy egg and a Humpty Dumpty egg drop.

Image of a bridge made from half egg shells to demonstrate how domes are a strong shape.
Eggshell Bridge

Affiliate links

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Phyllis at All Things Beautiful

    September 04, 2011 at 11:41 am

    I like this experiment a lot. I have seen several about an egg’s strength, but I have never seen this one.

    Reply
  2. MamaTea

    September 04, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    We just saw this experiment yesterday in a book and the boys said they wanted to try it. Glad to see it worked out for you! (I found this by following the Science Sunday link up at Adventures in Mommydom.)

    Reply
  3. Ticia

    September 06, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    What a great experiment! I remember in History class when they were trying to build St. Peter’s Basillica, they had many people coming in claiming amazing abilities to build, until the person who was hired came in, crushed an egg on the table and left the dome, and said “I can build this.” They hired him.

    Reply
  4. cathy at nurturestore

    September 07, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    What an eggsellent eggsperiment (couldn’t resist!)

    Thanks for joining in with the Play Academy 🙂

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 29, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      Thanks Cathy!

      Reply
  5. Isil

    September 09, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    wow,I love this,great experiment for lil ones!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      January 29, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      Thank you. x

      Reply
  6. brenda

    April 18, 2012 at 2:15 am

    wow that does work and i could say egg shells are pretty powerful 🙂 :O

    Reply
  7. Sue @ Onetimethrough

    April 11, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    I love how you explained how to get the “domes” to work – as painstaking as it was. I tried this same experiment a few months ago with my little guy and had a lot of difficulty getting it to work – thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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