VT Newton Cradles Objective: The goal of this project will be to construct a Newton Cradle. The Newton cradle will be created using popsicle sticks and hot glue for the structure. Why a Newton cradle? The Newton cradle is a classic science demonstration with many scaled up versions able to be seen in many science museums. With this the participants will be able to make their own cradle with a little bit of VT mixed into it.

Supplies:

• Popsicle Sticks - 40

• Hot Glue

• Marbles - 5

• String – 3ft

Step 1 - Take the template that looks like the one above. Take two popsicle sticks and glue them on the ends. Don’t use to much glue because you will pull these off later. Cut the string that you were given to a little past the popsicle sticks that you glued down. We can cut the excess off later.

Step 2 – Glue one end of the strings matching up to the lines that are in place. The easiest way I found was to put a little glue down and push the string into the glue with a popsicle stick while lightly pulling the string to match up with the line on the paper.

Step 3 : Next you will want to add glue all along the popsicle stick and glue another popsicle stick sandwiching the string together.

Step 4 : This picture skips a step but here you will want to add objects with a little weight to each edge of the paper to allow you to pull the strings when gluing to the other side.

Step 5: With the weighted objects holding each side of the paper pull the strings across so that they are reasonably tight. I found it easier to put a little hot glue down first let it cool and then put the string into it that way you don’t have to hold it to long.

Step 6: For this one you are adding more glue and then just covering the string with a popsicle stick.

Step 7: This step will likely be the most difficult. In order for the Newton’s cradle to work correctly you need glue the marbles directly in line with each other. If they don’t line up the Newton’s cradle will have a difficult time moving back and forth. The best way that I found was to put them under the string and let the paper wrinkle a little and then glue the marbles across the top to hold them into place. Once you have the marbles glued you can pull the popsicle sticks off of the paper.

Step 8: This step is straight forward. Follow the numbers on the paper to build the VT side panel. You will need two of these. Also there is no need to glue this one to the paper.

Step 9: This is for making the top panel. You will need two of these also.

11

2

2

1

2

1

2

3

34

5

7.00"

0.65"

0.65"

0.66"

0.65"