The egg drop challenge is not mostly a "shock absorption" exercise; the springiness of the padding around the egg is the determining factor.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Egg Drop Contest

Materials List

2 small foam cups

2500 square centimeters of plastic bubble wrap

25 paper tissues

12 cm3 cardboard box

Abstract of Physical Principals

The egg drop challenge is not mostly a "shock absorption" exercise; the "springiness" of the padding around the egg is the determining factor. A bus without springs is near impossible to drive, while one without shocks feels almost normal until moments when the shocks are needed. What will break the egg is to have a force on the egg greater than the shell can withstand. This can be avoided by distributing the force evenly across the egg's surface. The shell is very strong if the force is well distributed, and very weak if the force is all at one point, or on a small area. You can pierce the egg with a very small force with a needle, yet you can put it between your palms and push with great force without breaking it.

If your "padding" is too soft, it will work well until the padding has compressed, and then the egg will experience a large g-force