momentum transfer

 
Lay two thin books or magazines close together on a smooth flat surface. Place two marbles between the books. The books act as guides so both marbles roll along the same straight line. Two yardsticks taped in place work even better. A piece of aluminum or steel angle could also be used.
 
Flick one marble so that it strikes the other. When the marbles hit the energy of movement is transferred to the marble that had been motionless. The marble that you flicked stops. The marble that had been motionless is now travelling at the same speed as the flicked marble had before the collision. Try placing two marbles touching each other between the books. Strike them with a third marble. The energy of movement will be transferred from marble to marble to marble. The last of the three marbles travels away leaving the other two stationary.
 
Other combinations to try: two marbles rolled into two, two into three and three into two.
 
Place ten marbles between the books in groups of 3, 5 and 2 as shown. At the same time flick the two marbles into the group of five and flick the three marbles into the group of five. What will happen?