Code Number: 1N30.15

Demo Title: Newton's Trough

Condition: Good

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment:

"U" track, 1 inch ball bearings.

Procedure:

Place 4 or 5 balls on the track. Roll another ball into these and observe that a ball at the other end of the row is ejected. Roll two ball into these and observe that two balls at the other end of the row are ejected, etc. You can make this a discrepant event by using one or two 1 inch round magnets in place of a couple of the normal 1 inch ball bearings. This is another form of "Newton's Spheres". See 1N30.10 for that demonstration.

References:

Robert Ehrlich, "E.6, Colliding Balls on a Grooved Ruler", Turn the World Inside Out, p. 57.
Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Newton's Trough", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 105.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

1N30.15 - Newton's Trough

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