u/Hot-Syrup2089

For those unaware, a Newton's Cradle is primarily an office ornament consisting of four spheres/balls tied to two parallel frames, built such that the array of balls is touching. When you move/pull back one at one end, it collides with the second, carrying the momentum over through the balls until the last swings out and back, essentially creating a cycle of movement.

The momentum eventually dissipates, because of course it does, and my question is: does it dissipate faster if the balls are connected to the surrounding frames via string or metal arms?

Metal arms are obviously heavier, thereby requiring more momentum to be kept going, but is it more than the tension needed to keep the string tight/stretched?