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Physics Demo Number: 026			Approximate Run Time: 8 min
Newton's Cradle (Giant Economy Size)
Demo Description Classic Newton's Cradle on a giant scale. The apparatus consists of bowling balls suspended by sturdy bi-filiar cable supports which allow the balls to swing smoothly as pendula and to impact each other in a controlled manner.			Scientific Principles Conservation of Momentum Conservation of Energy Normal Modes
Equipment Newton's Cradle set up	Equipment Location Apparatus lives in 4221B (door in background of picture 1). Desk-Top Version on [E-3-5]
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Instructions The photos show our bowling ball version of Newton's Cradle for big lecture hall demonstration. One ball in, one ball out. Two in, two out. One can put a cushion between two of the balls and arrange for one in several out. One can also displace two balls at each end and simul-release the two sets of two. One can then watch the middle ball stay at rest. In the last case, one can then dynamically grab left most and right most balls and simul- reverse their motions to set up various acoustical tunes of collision noises. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Related Elastic Sphere Collisions aka : Pool Table Physics The above two photos show the location of the ball set, rack and queue sticks (left photo) , as well as the tan wooden cart for transporting the heavy table and the shooter- vertical- extender (aka step ladder ) for standing tall enough to make a shot on the pool table when it is resting on a lecture room table-top . The last photo shows the pooltable itself against the left wall in SC4221B. Also seen in the foreground is the newest form of the Newton's Cradle with cheater handles for transport down the hall more efficiently. The use of the pool table is quite labor intensive, and strong backs are needed for set up. The instructor is expected to supply any useful comments for explaining the physics of the pool table show he/she puts on for the students.
Writeup created by David A. Burba Copyright © 2013, Vanderbilt University. All Rights Reserved.