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.

Amazing bead chain experiment in slow motion - Slo Mo #19 - Earth Unplugged

The beaded polymer chain demonstration - from Educational Innovations - is one of our go-to demonstrations in the summer, year one workshops. In all honesty, though, I think it's a better demonstration of kinetic and potential energy, momentum, and acceleration.

Sure, it's a long chain, and so are most polymers, but if that's all we're showing, then we wouldn't need the mug or the running of the chain out from that mug.