Meghan+Rest+&+Maddy+Hibbard

Problem: The durability and efficiency of a name brand Otterbox iPhone 4s case versus a “knock-off” imitation brand case. The durability will be tested using drop tests.

Background: The name brand Otterbox case has a series of cases available for consumer use. The Defender 4s case will be tested in this experience. It is made of a two piece polycarbonate shell that clips together and seals, “keeping most moisture out” as declared by the company's webpage. The outer layer is made out of flexible silicone, making it water resistant as well. A clear plastic screen protector made from solid plastic is also incorporated into the design. The Otterbox case also has a patent “Otterbox” stamp on the back of the silicone shell, along with a limited 1 year warranty. The imitation case is less precise in design as the Otterbox brand case. The imitation case use cheaper materials, in order to reduce costs. However, the initial design looks similar to the Otterbox case itself. The colors differ and are often less vibrant as well. The clear plastic screen protector is also available in the imitation case, however, it is not attached to the case and often “pops off” according to Consumer Reviews. A generic imitation case will be tested in this experiment. The causes for the lack of efficiency are being equated. The cheaper material used could yield an effect on the security of the phone within the case. Hypothesis: If an iPhone 4s Defender Otterbox case and an imitation case are tested in a series of impact tests, then the name brand Otterbox cases will stay more intact than the imitated case. Materials: iPhone 4s Defender Otterbox case, imitated iPhone 4s case, large paper ( multiple sheets ), camera, glass

Need to include glass in the materials. Ms. Miller

estimated total cost is: $150.00

iPhone case: $50.00

imitation case: $20.00

paper: $12.00

camera: $60.00

glass: we already have

(tax) Testing: To test our hypothesis we plan on performing a series of drop tests with a weighed piece if glass in each case. The glass is meant to mimick the weight and material as well as the durability of the iPhone 4s. The weight of the glass plays a big role in the experiment. In order to imitate an iPhone the best we can, we have decided to make the piece of glass the same weight as an iPhone since the case is made to hold and protect and iPhone. The tests will be performed at 4 feet, 6 feet, 1 building story, and a 6 story building. The products will be dropped straight down and onto concrete. The destruction to the phone and cases will be observed, as well as the number of impact marks on the glass and the case. By dropping each phone case off of different heights, it will be testing the durability of the phone cases. By the height increasing, it will help us understand how much impact a phone case can take and still protect your phone, even if it is already damaged.

Directions: 1. Secure one piece of glass in the Otter Box phone case. 2. Secure the other piece of glass in the imitation case. 3. We will drop the cases at the same height of each one. (4 ft., 6 ft., 1 story, 6 story) 4. Then, after each drop, we will then observe what damage has been done to each piece of glass and how many marks have been made on the phone case during the impact of each fall.

Numbered concise directions. Ms. Miller Is a 6 story dropped relevant? Do you need your case to withstand that fall? How often would that be necessary? Ms. Miller

Is there a difference in weight of the glass and an iphone 4s? (Aubri Applegren) May want to reorganize and explain more into depth of the whole project. (Aubri Applegren)

The results would probably be more accurate if you tested more than two products. Is it possible to test more than one imitation case, or would that be too expensive? (Kaitlyn Olsen) Also, are you going to do part of this experiment outside of school, and if so, have you decided which 6 story building you are going to use? You have to take into consideration that there could possibly be people walking around below, so you might want to drop the phone from a building in a less busy area. (Kaitlyn Olsen)

You should probably have some citations. - Jess Earl This seems like mostly physics, how will you bring the idea of chemistry into it? - Jess Earl

If you plan on doing this outside, take into consideration the weather. -Alexa Thompson What kind of surface will you drop them onto? -Alexa Thompson

You mentioned that the case is water proof as well, are you going to be testing that too? -Maggie Hatfield What is the brand of the imitation case and are you only using 2 products total? -Maggie Hatfield

I think you need to drop the case multiple times to get better precision. Not to mention you can't drop the same case twice because damage might have been done to the case and you need to keep it intact. -Lily Holmes

How much does the weighted glass cost? Did you take that into the costs along with the cases? -Lily Holmes