Steve Mould, a host of science television shows in the UK, stumbled on the chain fountain while he was looking for a way to demonstrate something else. Mould, who has a master’s degree in physics from Oxford, discovered a rising curve in a moving chain of beads as the beads flow out of a container. Once he starts it, the bead chain keeps going, like water or gasoline being siphoned from a tank.
Why does this happen? Check out this slow mo video of the chain fountain, with an explainer, for the answer:
Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
More from
Deborah Byrd
View All
It’s time for Manhattanhenge! Here’s how to see it
May 27, 2026
Spica, the bright beacon of Virgo, is 2 stars
May 26, 2026
John F. Kennedy moon landing speech 65th anniversary
May 24, 2026
