The chain fountain phenomenon, also known as the self-siphoning beads, Mould effect, or Newton beads is a physical phenomenon observed with a chain placed inside a jar. One end of the chain is pulled from the jar and is allowed to fall under the influence of gravity. This process establishes a self-sustaining flow of the chain which rises over the edge and goes down to the floor or ground beneath it, as if being sucked out of the jar by an invisible siphon. For chains with small adjacent beads, the arc can ascend into the air over and above the edge of the jar with a noticeable gap; this gap is greater when the chain falls farther.[1]
The self-siphoning effect is also observed in non-Newtonian fluids.
- ^ Yam, Philip (July 3, 2013). "Gravity-Defying, Self-Siphoning Metal Beads Explained [Video]". Scientific American.