Children's Museum of Houston

Stick Chain Reaction

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So, while I do show you how to do the cobra weave pattern to create a stick chain reaction, we also take some time to discuss the science behind why these reactions work – that wood is, in fact elastic, meaning it can deform and snap back to its original shape. Because wood is elastic, it can store energy in the form of potential energy when it is bent. Once released, that potential energy turns into kinetic energy.

When you make a long string of sticks properly woven, you have lots of potential energy stored waiting to be transformed into kinetic.  However, the sticks have to be released in order, so rather than them going off all at once, they go off in a chain, like a row of dominoes falling.

Special thanks to our friends at Region’s Bank for making our O Wow Moments possible!