Editing Newton's cradle (section)

{{short description|Device that demonstrates conservation of momentum and energy by a series of swinging spheres}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
[[File:Newtons cradle animation book 2.gif|thumb|upright=1.35|Idealized 3-D rendering of the cradle in [[Motion (physics)|motion]]]]
'''Newton's cradle''' is a device, usually made of metal, that demonstrates the principles of [[Momentum|conservation of momentum]] and [[conservation of energy]] in [[physics]] with swinging [[Sphere|spheres]]. 

When one sphere at the end is lifted and released, it strikes the stationary spheres, compressing them and thereby transmitting a pressure wave through the stationary spheres, which creates a [[force]] that pushes the last sphere upward. 

The last sphere swings back and strikes the stationary spheres, repeating the effect in the opposite direction. 

The device is named after 17th-century English scientist [[Isaac Newton|Sir Isaac Newton]] and was designed by French scientist [[Edme Mariotte]]. It is also known as '''Newton's pendulum''', '''Newton's balls''', '''Newton's rocker''' or '''executive ball clicker''' (since the device makes a click each time the balls collide, which they do repeatedly in a steady [[rhythm]]).<ref name=Harvard>{{cite web|url=https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/newtons-cradle |title=Newton's Cradle |website=Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations |publisher=Harvard University |date=27 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Palermo |first=Elizabeth |title=How Does Newton's Cradle Work? |work=Live Science |date=28 August 2013}}</ref>