Discussion
ChiefWopahoo 3/9/25
2020 Rated Rookie
I’d be interested to see how a continuous arc – sort of like a banana shape with no flat section at all - would stack up against these four designs.
Object52 3/9/25
Adam Savage and Vsauce made something with a cycloid/brachistochrone curve. Put it with a constant slope and a steep slope. Was faster due to the shape of the curve (or were they all the same, nowI'mnotremembering). Also, starting anywhere along the curve would finish the same time as starting from the top.
- The brachistochrone curve is the fastest... the tautochrone curve gives you the start anywhere on the curve and get to the end at the same time result. — Stoopid_Fish_Racing
- I misremembered on the curve that had the same time, then. Still interesting stuff. — Object52
- It is... my drag track has a brachistocrone start curve. I used a piece of old 1/4" paneling and it bent almost perfectly and as a benefit, there is no "whomp" section where the angle transitions to straight... just a smooth curve. I'll post up some pics when I get it set up this spring. — Stoopid_Fish_Racing
Stoopid_Fish_Racing 3/9/25
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I saw that last night too! Kinda interesting...