# Cycloid Experiment for freshmen physics labs

## TL;DR

This paper presents a simple, engaging physics experiment using a cycloid track to demonstrate the minimum time curve, aiming to enhance understanding of classical mechanics for students.

## Contribution

It introduces a practical, educational cycloid experiment suitable for introductory physics courses, promoting active learning of the minimum time principle.

## Key findings

- Students enjoyed the cycloid experiment regardless of their physics background.
- The experiment effectively illustrates the concept of minimum time curves.
- It is feasible for both freshmen and sophomore physics classes.

## Abstract

We establish an instructive experiment to investigate the minimum time curve traveled by a small billiard ball rolling in a grooved track under gravity. Our intention is to popularize the concept of \textit{minimum time curve} anew, and to propose it as a feasible physics experiment both for freshmen and sophomore classes. We observed that even the non-physics major students did enjoy such a cycloid experiment.