Engineering Helmets? Eggs and Testing? This is a Challenge!
SCIENCE FLOW CHART \/ \/ \/ (PDF format)
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Link to VICIS Report: VICIS REPORT LINK
Evaluation and Redesign Questions:
1. Describe how your helmet protected the egg from cracking. What material was most important in your design? What material that you used was least effective?
* In overall terms, our helmet was successful at keeping the egg safe. My partner and I thought that the most important material we used on our helmet was the styrofoam, sponge and cotton balls. If I had to pick one out of those three, I would say styrofoam was the BEST material throughout this process. It was a material that you could use in any part of this helmet, but it succeeded in being the 'armor' that protected the egg. Not only that, but the reason why I consider sponges and cotton balls as the second best materials is because it's considered shock absorbing. Meaning these materials are better at lessening the impact of the weight. Cotton balls, like I've mentioned in my VICIS report, 'immobilize' the egg. Meaning, the egg won't move when the weight hits and during the test, if you watch the video down below you'll see our helmet flipping due to the direct impact of the weight. The least effective material was the springs. The springs where only used for decoration purposes and it wasn't valuable in this experiment in the slightest. The only reason why I don't include pipe cleaners with the springs is because we used the pipe cleaner as a guard for our egg's entrance. When we fit the egg snuggly in the helmet's compartment, the pipe cleaner held the egg inside and it helped protect the egg from flying out of the helmet.
2. Knowing what you know now, how would you improve upon your designs to make them work better on the next try?
* Even though our helmet was a success, it was still FAR from perfect. If we were given a chance to redesign our helmet the number one thing I'd improve on is the overall look of the helmet. Our helmet was cone shaped and after noticing one particular helmet in class, I think presentation is just as important as the physics in this project. Not only would we change the look of our helmet, I think using a hard material as our exterior would benefit the helmet as a whole because it deflects the weight. Adding onto the change of material, I believe expanding the size of the helmet is also important. Our helmet was small and due to that size it was easier having the direct hit damage the helmet. If our helmet was wider and more circular, then the weight would evenly spread throughout the helmet when the weight hits. Those are just a few of the things I think as a team, we'd change.
3. What materials would you recommend that Riddell uses in manufacturing cost effective helmets?
*There are so many materials that I'd be willing to recommend to Riddell manufacturing, however one material that I'd certainly convince them to use is the sponges and cotton balls. As mentioned many times before, sponges and cotton balls are shock absorbing materials and they increase the time, lessening the force during impact. Not only are they great at absorbing shock, but they are cost effective and will work wonderfully in supporting the head because they provide a sort of 'cushion' to the head and neck.
* In overall terms, our helmet was successful at keeping the egg safe. My partner and I thought that the most important material we used on our helmet was the styrofoam, sponge and cotton balls. If I had to pick one out of those three, I would say styrofoam was the BEST material throughout this process. It was a material that you could use in any part of this helmet, but it succeeded in being the 'armor' that protected the egg. Not only that, but the reason why I consider sponges and cotton balls as the second best materials is because it's considered shock absorbing. Meaning these materials are better at lessening the impact of the weight. Cotton balls, like I've mentioned in my VICIS report, 'immobilize' the egg. Meaning, the egg won't move when the weight hits and during the test, if you watch the video down below you'll see our helmet flipping due to the direct impact of the weight. The least effective material was the springs. The springs where only used for decoration purposes and it wasn't valuable in this experiment in the slightest. The only reason why I don't include pipe cleaners with the springs is because we used the pipe cleaner as a guard for our egg's entrance. When we fit the egg snuggly in the helmet's compartment, the pipe cleaner held the egg inside and it helped protect the egg from flying out of the helmet.
2. Knowing what you know now, how would you improve upon your designs to make them work better on the next try?
* Even though our helmet was a success, it was still FAR from perfect. If we were given a chance to redesign our helmet the number one thing I'd improve on is the overall look of the helmet. Our helmet was cone shaped and after noticing one particular helmet in class, I think presentation is just as important as the physics in this project. Not only would we change the look of our helmet, I think using a hard material as our exterior would benefit the helmet as a whole because it deflects the weight. Adding onto the change of material, I believe expanding the size of the helmet is also important. Our helmet was small and due to that size it was easier having the direct hit damage the helmet. If our helmet was wider and more circular, then the weight would evenly spread throughout the helmet when the weight hits. Those are just a few of the things I think as a team, we'd change.
3. What materials would you recommend that Riddell uses in manufacturing cost effective helmets?
*There are so many materials that I'd be willing to recommend to Riddell manufacturing, however one material that I'd certainly convince them to use is the sponges and cotton balls. As mentioned many times before, sponges and cotton balls are shock absorbing materials and they increase the time, lessening the force during impact. Not only are they great at absorbing shock, but they are cost effective and will work wonderfully in supporting the head because they provide a sort of 'cushion' to the head and neck.
4. The data table shown provides the number of reported concussions over the last 5 years. Create a mathematical model to predict the number of concussions in 2015. Indicate any possible reasons why the number of reported concussions has decreased in the past or will decrease in the future.
-As shown on the left, 2010 was the peak of data that showed the greatest amount of reported concussions. Before 2010, the number of reported concussions drastically increased; however, after 2010, the number of reported concussions began to dwindle. Due to the declining numbers, I realized that in 2015 the number of reported concussions will be the least of all the data that has been previously recorded. As a matter of fact, my number was drastically low, but I thought otherwise after reviewing my 'mathematical' way. My overall results where this:
-As shown on the left, 2010 was the peak of data that showed the greatest amount of reported concussions. Before 2010, the number of reported concussions drastically increased; however, after 2010, the number of reported concussions began to dwindle. Due to the declining numbers, I realized that in 2015 the number of reported concussions will be the least of all the data that has been previously recorded. As a matter of fact, my number was drastically low, but I thought otherwise after reviewing my 'mathematical' way. My overall results where this:
5. The rising concern among athletic trainers and health advocates (and parents) regarding concussions and multiple concussions among high school football players has prompted numerous studies of the effectiveness of protective head gear and the forces and accelerations experienced by players. One study suggested that there is a 50 % chance of concussions for impacts rated at 75 g's of acceleration (i.e., 75 multiplied by 9.8 m/s/s). (The average head impact results in 22 to 24 g's of acceleration.) If a player's head mass (with helmet) is 6.0 kg and considered to be a free body, then what net force would be required to produce an acceleration of 75 g's (~740 m/s/s)? Research g-forces and create a data table of sample g-forces. (Extension: Create a mathematical model of g-force versus time of tolerance.)
First thing first, let's solve the problem given:
FNet=ma (Net Force= Mass * Acceleration)
FNet= 6 Kg * 740 m/s/s
FNet= 4,440 Newtons
Next, comes g forces. What is a g-force?
*It's measured in g's. 1 g is equal to the force of gravity at the Earth's surface, which is 9.8 meters per second per second. According to www.gforces.net, the g-force on an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall.
Fun Fact: Did you know that amusement parks have a g force regulation system?