WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Galileo's Paradox

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The red and blue beadsfall without friction alongthe green wires.​Can you predict which beadwill reach the bottom first?​Click the "Play" arrow (▶)above to find out!
Use this slider to changethe starting point of thered bead.​Can you explain what youobserve physically ormathematically?​​Hints:
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The blue bead falls straight down to the bottom of the circle along the vertical green wire.
The red bead starts at a lower point and slides without fraction diagonally, finishing at the same point as the blue bead.
Can you predict which bead will reach the bottom first?
Activate the trigger to find out!
Can you explain the result? (Click the hints for help.)