Newton's Cradle

Description
Newton's cradle is a device, usually made of metal, that demonstrates the principles of conservation of momentum and conservation of energy in physics with swinging spheres. When one sphere at the end is lifted and released, it strikes the stationary spheres, compressing them and thereby transmitting a pressure wave through the stationary spheres, which creates a force that pushes the last sphere upward. The last sphere swings back and strikes the stationary spheres, repeating the effect in the opposite direction. The cradle thus demonstrates conservation of momentum and energy.
Learning Objectives

  • Understand Newton’s Laws of Motion, especially the laws of momentum and energy conservation

  • Observe how momentum is transferred between objects during collisions

  • Distinguish between elastic and inelastic collisions using a physical model

  • Relate real-world motion (balls, vehicles, molecules) to Newton’s Cradle behavior

  • Develop skills in scientific observation, prediction, and explanation

Key Takeaways

  • Newton’s Cradle demonstrates the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in elastic collisions

  • When one ball is released, the same number of balls move on the opposite side, showing momentum transfer

  • The middle balls appear stationary because forces pass through them almost instantaneously

  • Energy loss (sound, heat, air resistance) explains why motion gradually stops

  • The experiment connects classroom physics concepts to real-life systems like traffic collisions, sports, and particle motion

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