newton's cradle

A demonstration of conservation of momentum and energy. When one ball swings down and strikes, it stops — transferring its momentum through the chain to launch the ball at the other end.

Invented by actor Simon Prebble in 1967, named after Isaac Newton whose laws it demonstrates.

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
— Newton's Third Law

Drag a ball to pull it back, then release. The energy passes through.

tap anywhere to return

drag a ball to start