What Energy Causes Motion in a Suspended Sphere Apparatus?

[evthis]

If you've seen the apparatus that is composed of five suspended spheres from a string lined up in a row, each in direct contact with the spheres before or after it, perhaps you can tell me the type of energy that causes the sphere to the most left to move when the sphere to the most right is swung back and released without effecting the measured locations of any of the spheres between.

 

[Justin Lazear]

Kinetic and gravitational potential.

--J

 

[HallsofIvy]

And, of course, kinetic energy.

 

[Jayboy]

If you'd like to look into it further, look up "Newton's Cradle"

 

[evthis]

If you'd like to look into it further, look up "Newton's Cradle"

I will do that thanks. Can you give me a basic idea of what the "Newton's Cradle" is?

 

[Doc Al]

Can you give me a basic idea of what the "Newton's Cradle" is?

Newton's cradle is the apparatus you were describing.

Look here for an applet: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/ncradle.htm

 

[evthis]

Wow, excellent animation imagery describing exactly what I was talking about...thanks greatly for the link which allowed me to see it.