1D15.50 Brachistochrone

1D15.50 Brachistochrone

Two balls released on opposite sides of a cycloid always meet in the middle regardless of the starting height. The ball on the cycloid always beats the ball on the circle or parabola. There is a pencil mark on the cycloid to indicate the middle.

Three wooden tracks are fixed to a single wooden platform. One track is shaped as a parabola, one as a circular section, and one as a cycloid. Two steel balls, the right size to roll down any of the tracks, are also pictured.

 

Location: B4-1