How to Build a Newtonian Demonstrator
85A Newton's Cradle
Background
A Newtonian demonstrator is also called the Newton's Cradle and is sold by than name as an office desk toy. The concept was demonstrated centuries ago in France and Sir Isaac Newton later developed laws of physics that are illustrated by the device.
The Newton's Cradle has sold very well as an executive desktop toy since it was first manufactured in the late 1960s. It was reportedly prototyped by the actor Simon Prebble. At first, a wooden cradle version of the device was sold by the famous department store, Harrods of London. Soon after this, manufacturers fashioned a metal cradle of chrome based on the work of a sculptor. This sculptor is the film and TV director, Richard Loncraine. Thus, actors and other film people contributed the largest part to propelling this scientific device and toy item into the marketplace.
The largest Newton's Cradle so far was designed by Chris Boden. It is located at The Geek Group home base in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This nonprofit company is a cross between a Center of Science and Industry and Mad Science. The huge Newtonian contraption is made with bowling balls and is on public display from Monday thorugh Saturday form 10am - 6pm. It is often used for demonstrations in science and technology presentations and for educational groups.
The monster Newtonian demnstrator is made up of 7 bowling balls of equal weight, 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) each. The bowling balls are attached securely to metal cables and hung from metal trusses in the ceiling of a warehouse at The Geek Group. The suspension cables are 20 feet long (6.1m) and the bowling balls hang 3 feet from the floor (1m).
Computer Simulation
Construction
Hanging from metal beams in a sturdy warehouse ceiling, this Newton's Cradle does not need a frame. Thus, the parts needed would be 7 bowling balls of equal weight, a substantial amount of metal cabling, hardware to attached the cables to the bowling balls and the ceiling, and the proper metal working tools for the job. This would likely include tape measures and other measuring devices, welding gear and materials, metal couplings, metal saws, hammers, Philips head screw drivers, and metal screws.
The Geek Group
The Geek Group is a fantastic place for after school classes, summer sessions, science demonstrations, presentations for private groups, project work space, and workshops on any of these and other topics they currently present:
- Newtonian and non-Newtonian physics
- High Energy Physics
- High Voltage Physics
- Astronomy
- Electro-magnetism
- Biology
- Rocketry
- Sound and Acoustics
- Geology/Mineralogy
- Environment
- Alternative Energy
- Meteorology
- Robotics
These individuals teach science, technology, engineering, math, and arts education. That's the hard sciences of STEM, plus art! They really understand that science and art go together.
If you are ever near Kalamazoo, Michigan, stop in:
- 2309 N Burdick Street
- Kalamazoo MI 49007.
- (269) 567-GEEK
- info@thegeekgroup.org
- Call for a tour!
Newton's 3rd law of Motion
Simple version made from shoebox, rubber balls,elastic bands.
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Comments
Excellent hub Patty!
I had no idea the familiar desktop toy was called a "Newtonian Demonstrator" - it has such an ominous sounding name!
Great job gathering all those tidbits of info too.
Thanks for the nice comments! I was really fascinated by The Geek Group in Michigan. They have student internships and offer work space for science.art projects. Working there muat be like going to a science fair every day.
Ther eare so many versions of the demonstrator, it is mind boggling! Someone did one with children's potty chairs - on Youtube somewhere, I believe!
Love it! SY
Ahhhhh i remember my phisics study
Sybille - it's fun, isnt it?
fabioce - physics was fun, and I liked astronomy best. :)
Thanks for the comments! Who wants to go visit The Geek Group with me?
Thank you for the interesting article. I also didn't know the name of this apparatus.
Hi teeray, thanks for stopping by. I've just visited your Hubs!
Actually the pictures there don't tell the whole story ;) What you see there is the second prototype. We finished the cradle shortly after that and when fully assembled it has 20 balls of 15lbs each.
We have moved to a new building over the past couple months (no more renting YAY!) and the cradle is currently dissassembled while we get ready to install it in our new facility. It should be operational and on public display again within a few months.
Thanks so much for the information Chris! I look forward to coming to visit your installation in the future. You all have the perfect jobs, I think!
"Newtonian Demonstrator", huh? Wow, I have got to build me one of these. Always something interesting, Patty.
Please do build one and give us a Hub with a picture of it. You can buy a kit or do the whole thing yourself. have a good time doing it! Bowling balls or ping pong balls - all of it's good.
I always loved these. I used to have one on my desk, but it got destroyed by a toddler. I'll have to put in on my wish list.
I am impressed by the scale of some of these demonstrations. I imagine the ones with the bowling balls is almost frightening up close.
I bet it IS frightening. And pretty loud, but fun. Thanks commenting, johnr54.
This is the most amazing thing ever...! i could sit and watch this all day long. i am so interested in it that i am ready to build one! i just need some help though! i dont even know where to get started. PLEASE HELP!
Try the one with rubberbands wrapped around rubber balls in the cardboard box. OR, email The Geek Group (end of article) and see if they can send you a schematic. Happy New Year!
Hi Patty -- I also work at The Geek Group and stumbled across this page today in a random Google search. I wanted to let you know that we have moved, and we'd sure appreciate it if you could update the information in this article! Our new address is 2309 N Burdick Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007. We are presently not keeping standard hours, but are available any day by appointment. Phone and email are the same. :-) We are currently working on a fancy new iteration of the Cradle and I'll definitely let you know when it's up and running! We're quite flattered to be featured here.
Hi Tyskk... - I love the work you and your coworkers do at the Geek Group. I've changed the address so people can find you anmd will also attempt to get a map for it. I look forward to your new exhibits and will definitely visit.
hi peoples who i dont know
I've always loved newtons cradle, in fact it was the thing my dad used to introduce me to the wonderful world of physics. Good hub enjoyed reading :)
I am a science teacher in Houston TX. I am currently building one of these using an old set of croquet balls. They are very solid and should work very well. Remember playing croquet and blasting your opponents ball across the yard by standing on your ball and striking it with a mallet? I am thinking they will work very well for this appilcation. I will use saltwater fishing high test line for suspension and fashion the frame out of either hardword or perhaps welded metal tubing. I think my students will enjoy seeing and playing with it in the classroom.
dipless - Thanks for the comment and congratulations on HubNugget victories.
Tom - That sounds like an awesome project. You students should have a lot of fun. If you take pictures, I could post one for you on this page. Or the class could do a page of their own. Great lesson!
gamergirl says:
2 years ago
Absolutely brilliant article. Now I want to use my garage to make one of these!