INTRODUCTION

A Newton's cradle, also called a Newton's rocker or a ball clicker. It was so-
named in 1967 by English actor Simon Prebble, in honour of his countryman
and revolutionary physicist Isaac Newton. Originally Newton's cradle was
created to demonstrate Newton's third law. If you collide a ball from one side,
the same impact returns through the other side. Newton's cradle consists of five
iron balls, and each hung on two threads to prevent the ball from spinning.
Despite its seemingly simple design, the Newton's cradle, and its swinging,
clicking balls is not just an ordinary desk toy. It is, in fact, an elegant
demonstration of some of the most fundamental laws of physics and mechanics.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
cardboard, marbles or steel balls, thread or wire, and glue

PRINCIPLE
Conservation of energy, conservation of momentum and collision of particles

CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING

Some(five) balls are hung in a line from two crossbars that are parallel to the line of the balls.
Using cardboard as a base makes the model sturdy and stable. All the balls should be made of
same material for clearer results. The model works on the conservation of energy and
momentum. When the first ball is lifted and out, its kinetic energy remains zero, but its
potential energy is greater, because gravity can make it fall. After the ball is released, its
potential energy is converted into kinetic energy during its fall because of the work gravity
does on it. Upon impact with the next ball, the first one loses all its kinetic energy (and as a
result, all its momentum) and comes to a dead stop. However, energy and momentum cannot
be lost, so it must be transferred sequentially to the ball it strikes, until transfer of energy
continues to the last ball. Since no energy is lost in the transferring process, the final ball
shoots up with a speed equal to the dropping speed of the first ball, thus indicating that
momentum has been conserved! Also, the final ball rises to a level equal to the dropping
height of the first one, signifying that all energy is also saved!

MATHEMATICAL DERIVATIONS

1) As a reminder, Newton’s second law states that a net force on a mass m will accelerate the
mass m, that is ΣF = Fnet = ma …………… (i)

When we discussed impulses, we rewrote Newton’s second law as

F = (mVf – mVi)/Δt
FΔt = mVf – mVi = Δp ………….…. (ii)

F represents the net force on the object (or system) in question. The equation states that if the
net force on the system is zero, the change in momentum of the system must also be zero.
From equation (ii), when F=0
Then, mVf= mVi
=> pi = pf
Here, we have been led to the conclusion that the initial momentum of the system equals the
final momentum of the system (pi = pf) if the net force on the system is zero.
In general, for any isolated system, the change in the total momentum of the system is zero.
As long as this condition holds, the momentum of a system with any number of interacting
objects is conserved.

2) The conservation of momentum in Newton’s cradle can be demonstrated with two

identical marbles in a simpler manner. One is at rest and one is in motion, causing a head-on
collision with the marble at rest. We solve this problem (and all others, unless stated
otherwise) assuming that the interacting objects form an isolated system.

Marble A has mass m and moves with velocity VAi along a horizontal surface toward marble
B with mass m, and initial velocity VBi = 0. After the collision, marble A is at rest and
marble B is moving with the final velocity VBf.

Using Conservation of Momentum, we first write the initial momentum of the system, pi, and
then write the final momentum of the system pf. Once these quantities are known, we use the
conservation of momentum pi = pf.
pi = mVAi+mVBi = mVAi+m. (0) = mVAi
pf= mVAf +mVBf = m. (0) +mVBf
pi = pf
or, mVAi = mVBf =>VAi = VBf
We find the final velocity of marble B is the same as the initial velocity of marble A.

APPLICATION

• For better understanding of conservation of momentum and energy

• Derive laws through mathematic operation
• To get clearer understanding of Newton’s Third law of motion

ADVANTAGES
(i)low cost of construction,
(ii)easy mechanism,
(iii)an eco-friendly toy