How to build a Newtonian demonstrator

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By Patty Inglish, MS


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 archives
The Geek Group archives

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:

The Geek Group

  • 2015 Schippers Lane
  • Kalamazoo MI 49048
  • (269) 567-GEEK
  • info@thegeekgroup.org
  • Monday-Saturday from 10AM to 6PM.

Newton's 3rd law of Motion

Simple version made from shoebox, rubber balls,elastic bands.


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Comments

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gamergirl profile image

gamergirl  says:
10 months ago

Absolutely brilliant article. Now I want to use my garage to make one of these!

M. Beck profile image

M. Beck  says:
10 months ago

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.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
10 months ago

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!

Sybille Yates profile image

Sybille Yates  says:
10 months ago

Love it! SY

fabioce profile image

fabioce  says:
10 months ago

Ahhhhh i remember my phisics study

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
10 months ago

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?

teeray profile image

teeray  says:
10 months ago

Thank you for the interesting article. I also didn't know the name of this apparatus.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
10 months ago

Hi teeray, thanks for stopping by. I've just visited your Hubs!

Chris Boden  says:
10 months ago

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.

Patty Inglish  says:
10 months ago

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!

Peter M. Lopez profile image

Peter M. Lopez  says:
7 months ago

"Newtonian Demonstrator", huh? Wow, I have got to build me one of these. Always something interesting, Patty.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
7 months ago

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.

johnr54 profile image

johnr54  says:
4 months ago

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.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
4 months ago

I bet it IS frightening. And pretty loud, but fun. Thanks commenting, johnr54.

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