Physics in Toys

This afternoon, I was at my friend's house because we were supposed to be working on a Psychology project. While there, I saw this toy in her room and it reminded me about what we are learning in Physics. This toy follows the law of conservation of energy because the first ball bearing starts off with all the energy of the system while all the other ball bearings are at rest. However, as the ball comes into contact with the ball next to it, it transfers some of its energy to the second ball. This pattern continues as the second ball comes into contact with the third ball, once again transfering some of its energy. As a result, when the last ball is hit, there is still the same amount of energy in the system from the beginning. Even though the first ball no longer holds the same amount of energy as it did in the beginning, the total amount of energy within the system of all five balls, is the same. No energy is lost, and no energy is gained. This picture that I took of the action shows this law taking place!