Looking for an amazing scientific object? Then get yourself a Newton's Cradle. This ball-bearing pendulum will captivate you with its perpetual motion, hypnotising and soothing. What's more, Newton's pendulum will easily find its place in your scientific decor to add a unique touch.
A Newton's cradle is a desk toy made of five (sometimes seven) metal balls hanging in a row from a frame. Lift the ball at one end and let it go: it strikes the row, and the ball at the far end swings out on its own while the middle ones stay still. It demonstrates two laws of physics, conservation of momentum and conservation of energy, and it was first built in the 1960s, named after Isaac Newton, whose laws it illustrates.
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The original executive toy. One pull, minutes of click-clack, and a reason to stare at something other than a screen.
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Everyone recognises it, almost nobody owns one. Chrome for a modern desk, wood for a study, LED for a teenager.
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Momentum and energy transfer in a demonstration you can repeat a hundred times. Ask why the middle balls stay still and you have a lesson.
Four things decide whether a Newton's cradle will look right and swing well: the size, the base material, the number of balls and the extras. Here is how our range breaks down.
| Type | Best for | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic desk cradle | A first cradle, any desk | 12 to 18 cm | £16 to £30 |
| Wooden base | A study, a warm interior | 17 to 23 cm | £20 to £83 |
| LED or coloured balls | Teenagers, gaming desks | 15 to 20 cm | £22 to £27 |
| 7 ball and metal frames | Collectors, longer swing | 20 to 25 cm | £77 |
| Large and kinetic sculptures | Reception desks, statement pieces | 30 to 45 cm | £112 to £182 |
A heavier ball and a stiffer frame swing longer and cleaner. Chrome steel balls on nylon lines are the standard; the giant and metal models use thicker lines and a machined frame, which is why they cost more and last longer.
When the first ball hits the row, its momentum passes through the stationary balls as a compression wave and comes out the other end. Only one ball moves because momentum and kinetic energy must both be conserved, and one ball at the same speed is the only solution that satisfies both.
Air resistance and friction at the strings slowly drain the energy, which is why it stops after a few minutes.
Free UK delivery over £45, and 30 days to return it. Prefer a slower, wilder motion? The Chaotic Double Pendulum and the gyroscopes are the next step.
