PURPOSE: To show that taking three different paths with the same energy result in equal velocities but different times.
DESCRIPTION: Three tracks are straight, parabolic and cycloid. All three paths have the same initial and final states. When the balls race down the curves the cycloid path arrives first. The parabola is a very close second. The straight line is a distant third although many students think the straight path should have the fastest time. The balls are seen to have the same velocities because they preserve their respective distances as they race across the lecture bench.
EQUIPMENT: Three rails.
SETUP NOTES: