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Physics LibreTexts

19.5: Motion on a Cycloid, Cusps Up

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We shall imagine either a particle sliding down the inside of a smooth cycloidal bowl, or a bead sliding down a smooth cycloidal wire, Figure XIX.6.

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We shall work in intrinsic coordinates to obtain the tangential and normal Equations of motion. These Equations are, respectively:

¨s=gsinψ

and

mv2ρ=Rmgcosψ.

Here R is the normal (and only) reaction of the bowl or wire on the particle and ρ is the radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is ds/dψ, which, from Equation 19.3.1, (or Equations 19.4.3 and 19.4.5) is

ρ=4acosψ

From Equations 19.3.1 and 19.5.1 we see that the tangential Equation of motion can be written, without approximation:

¨s=g4as.

This is simple harmonic motion of period 4πa/g, independent of the amplitude of the motion. This is the isochronous property of the cycloid. Likewise, if the particle is released from rest, it will reach the bottom of the cycloid in a time πa/g whatever the starting position.

Let us see if we can find the value of R where the generating angle is ψ. Let us suppose that the particle is released from rest at a height y0 above the x-axis (generating angle = ψ0 ); what is its speed v when it has reached a height y (generating angle ψ )? Clearly this is given by

12mv2=mg(y0y),

and, following Equation 19.3.2, and recalling that θ=ψ, this is

v2=2ga(cos2ψcos2ψ0).

On substituting this and Equation 19.5.3 into Equation 19.5.2, we find for R:

R=mg2cosψ(1+2cos2ψcos2ψ0)


This page titled 19.5: Motion on a Cycloid, Cusps Up is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jeremy Tatum via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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