Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For Engineers · Moment of Inertia

Moment of Inertia for a Newton's cradle

Built for engineers using it for real design work. Go from concept to a running model in the browser, then scale to the cloud when needed. Simulate a Newton's cradle live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Moment of InertiaLive

rotational mass & the parallel-axis theorem

Controls

Shape

Presets

Mass (kg)

Size R or L (m)

Axis offset d (m)

Moment of inertia is rotational mass: how hard it is to spin an object. Mass farther from the axis counts more (∝ r²). The parallel-axis theorem adds md² when the axis moves off the center of mass.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

I about center0.0900 kg·m²

Parallel-axis term0.0000 kg·m²

Total I0.0900 kg·m²

Governing equation

I = 0.500 M R^{2} + M d^{2} = 0.0900 + 0.0000 = 0.0900 kg \cdot m^{2}

Reading this result: The axis runs through the center of mass, so there is no parallel-axis penalty — this is the smallest moment of inertia this body can have.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

Also for:Students Researchers Educators Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders General version →

More with Moment of Inertia

Moment of Inertia for a projectile from a cannon Moment of Inertia for a bouncing ball Moment of Inertia for a pendulum clock Moment of Inertia for a car braking Moment of Inertia for a roller-coaster loop Moment of Inertia for a satellite orbit Moment of Inertia for a mass on a spring Moment of Inertia for a skydiver's free fall

Frequently asked questions

Is this good for engineers?: Yes — this version of "Moment of Inertia for a Newton's cradle" is framed for engineers using it for real design work. Go from concept to a running model in the browser, then scale to the cloud when needed.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.