Question

How is momentum conserved in a Newton's cradle when one steel ball hits the other?

Answer 1

Momentum is conserved when you pull one ball bearing back in the air before letting it go to hit the others. Think about it. You lift the bearing in the air with all it's weight, thus leading it to build up momentum and conserve it. Then once you release it, it transfers the energy through the other bearings and out onto the other side repeating it's process.<span />

Answer 2

All the momentum starts in one ball, and after the collision, it is all in the other ball.

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