Why does only one ball swing out when one ball hits?

This is the only solution that conserves BOTH momentum and kinetic energy simultaneously. Two balls at half speed would conserve momentum but only half the kinetic energy. The elastic constraint forces exactly N balls to leave at the same speed.

What happens with damping in a real cradle?

Real cradles gradually lose energy to air resistance and sound. The swings get smaller until all balls hang still. Set damping to 0.05 to see this realistic decay. Lower elasticity to 0.85 to see the swings merge into all balls moving together.

Newton's Cradle — Momentum Chain Simulator

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