Fountains of Chain: Science Take: The New York Times

I've never tried to demonstrate the bead chain demonstration (available from Educational Innovation for about $20, though I'll admit that I'm looking for longer, cheaper beaded chains) from more than a couple of feet off the ground. That height gives a jump out of the beaker of about five inches or so. Supposedly, though, a longer drop (from a balcony, a second or third story, even) will provide an even higher jump out of the container.

Why, however, does it provide that jump above the lip of the container? That's a little more complicated.

The video above says it explains that jump, but I got a heck of a lot more out of the video below.