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Fascinating. Mesmerizing. You can stare at it for hours. Play with it all you want. This device demonstrates the conservation of energy and momentum. When you swing one ball and it knocks into the next, it will transfer the energy from one ball to the other. Of course, we do have some real world friction and chafing from the paracord so that might prove to be an irritant and affect the performance somewhat.
This version of the Newton's Cradle consists of an uneven number of balls in a linear formation which are suspended by paracord from a structure that lets them swing freely between such supports.
I would think every Science teacher like Instructables member Kiteman or those of the scientific mind should have one handy to demonstrate some fundamental laws of physics.
Disclaimer: Ahem, it failed to perform as expected. But don't let this stop you from having a good time building it, only make the necessary changes described in the text.
Please, no Fn comments on this instructable, this is something completely different. The following instructable contains discussion of a frank nature and may not be suitable for all. Pun accordingly.
This version of the Newton's Cradle consists of an uneven number of balls in a linear formation which are suspended by paracord from a structure that lets them swing freely between such supports.
I would think every Science teacher like Instructables member Kiteman or those of the scientific mind should have one handy to demonstrate some fundamental laws of physics.
Disclaimer: Ahem, it failed to perform as expected. But don't let this stop you from having a good time building it, only make the necessary changes described in the text.
Please, no Fn comments on this instructable, this is something completely different. The following instructable contains discussion of a frank nature and may not be suitable for all. Pun accordingly.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials on hand...
For this project you need...
* Paracord or similar string/twine/rope
Hey, I found some paracord in cool Instructables reddish/orange.
* An odd pair of balls - dense spherical objects - should be an uneven number like 3 or 5. I used golf balls, you will be might be lucky enough to have ones made of brass. There do exist Newton's Cradles made with bowling balls so size does matter.
* Tape to cover the golf ball if needed
* Two dowels, sticks, pencils, chopsticks or drumsticks to use as horizontal support rods
* Cardboard and glue for the support structure.
* Picture of your favorite character for decoration.
* Paracord or similar string/twine/rope
Hey, I found some paracord in cool Instructables reddish/orange.
* An odd pair of balls - dense spherical objects - should be an uneven number like 3 or 5. I used golf balls, you will be might be lucky enough to have ones made of brass. There do exist Newton's Cradles made with bowling balls so size does matter.
* Tape to cover the golf ball if needed
* Two dowels, sticks, pencils, chopsticks or drumsticks to use as horizontal support rods
* Cardboard and glue for the support structure.
* Picture of your favorite character for decoration.
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Anybody wishing to play with my balls more efficiently should try and make sure nothing soft gets caught between them...
The paracord is absorbing the energy of the impacts and releasing it too slowly. That's why you get the inelastic collisions that make my balls stick together.
Maybe, instead of a monkey's fist, you could try a Turk's Head knot (same family of knots as the monkey fist) around the "equator" of the golf balls, leaving plenty of uncovered surface for collisions?
Plus, as somebody else said, use steel ball-bearings if you can.
You can research Newton's cradles but essentially they are the same setup. The golf balls should have sufficient mass to create a force to transfer the energy to the next. As in any experiment, you have to figure out what can contribute to the error of your perfect conditions. Golf balls do have some "bounce", the paracord provides some cushioning, has some stretch like a spring, is unevenly placed on the ball, etc. Good setups of Newton's cradles use heavy steel balls suspended on thin wires or taut monofiliment line in a rigid frame. A failed experiment can teach you as much as one that works from the start.
The second video clip I added does show it working somewhat. Even though there is only one bounce of the opposite ball. The middle one does stay still as the energy is transmitted through it.
5* and faved :D
. Did you have any problems with the balls hanging too low at higher ambient temperatures?