Some related information about china newtons cradle balance balls

1. An elastic collision occurs when two metal balls collide. Before and after the collision, the kinetic energy it possesses remains the same. Under ideal conditions, that is, the ball is only affected by momentum, energy and gravity, all collisions are perfect elastic collisions and the structure of china newtons cradle balance balls is also perfect, the metal ball will move forever.

2. But it is impossible to have perfect china newtons cradle balance balls, because they will always be affected by friction and cause energy loss. Some of the friction comes from air resistance, but most of it comes from the ball itself. So the collision in china newtons cradle balance balls is not a real elastic collision but an inelastic collision, because the kinetic energy after the collision is lost compared to that before the collision (due to friction).

3. But according to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy remains unchanged. Due to the deformation of the ball, kinetic energy is converted into heat energy between the molecules making up the ball. The balls vibrate and at the same time produce the signature crisp crashing sound of china newtons cradle balance balls.