I was just saying to the wife the other day, “You know what we could really use about now? A demonstration of the unique properties of the isochronous curve.” And whaddaya know, here it is. Saved our marriage.

Turns out the fastest route between two points isn’t a straight line.It’s an isochronous curve.

I’ve missed calm relaxed explaining shows without any hype or screaming or over-the-top nonsense just teach quietly and affectively

It's crazy to think that my dad used to watch this on television when he was a kid back in the 70s. Now I'm in senior year and know why he loved it so much.

I don't know how I got here but I'm glad I did.

The isochronous curve was also an important discovery for the advance in timekeeping, Christiaan Huygens invented the cycloid pendulum which doesn't simply travel part of a circle but rather travels in an isochronous curve thus keeping the same timing regardless of momentum.

What a treasure this show is. We need a modern equivalent, would love to see more of these hosts they make everything simple and enjoyable thanks so much 🙏

The way you can cram so much knowledge into such a short period of time is amazing.

Thank you, KZfaq for showing me this. Before this video, I thought my life was a downhill slide. Now I know its on this damn curve.

I used to love this show when I was a kid. I couldn’t get enough of all the fascinating experiments they did. I’m 55 years old now and work in a call centre so obviously the science bug didn’t hit me hard enough lol

Saw this as a kid on TV.. Still love it.. Im 51 now haha.. One of my fave shows as a kid..

Loved that show back in the 70's, can still remember the theme music as well.

This curve holds a lot of secrets. The area of the enclosed cycloid (segment) is three times the area of the circle used to create it, and the length of the curve is four times the diameter of the circle. So the Pi value of a rolling circle is _four_ . You can create this cycloid by tilting a circle 57.518 degrees from the vertical, and then photograph the top half of the tilted circle. It's the only isochronous curve. Somehow it seems to be aware that it is supposed to be a circle.There's something in this, but I don't know what. .

That rusty tin though, back when contents of a show was more important than how its visuals.

That is why I love the old science tv shows. In Poland we used have a lot of these in National TV back in the day. Easy DIY experiments that made physics and science in generał easy to digest and understand. I do miss these.

Cool. Great presentation. No fluff and flash, just pleasant conveyance of interesting information. Thanks.

I love engineering principles. I once asked an engineer on how he knows how strong to build a building and he said that he has all these equations and formulas and after he figures it out he just multiplies his final calculation x3.

What I particularly enjoy about the Curiosity Show is the clear way everything is presented without talking down to the audience. Rob and Deane really have a fabulous knack for presenting.

Recommended by KZfaq, not sure why (probably because I was watching Mark Rober). Damn, I loved this show growing up. Give people an enjoyable and understandable explanation for anything (but don't patronise their intelligence) and you will be surprised what they can learn and retain.

Amazing that this man actually got paid to do things like this! Shows like this should exist currently.

The first new thing I’ve learned in 2019

For anyone who wants to go deeper on this - look into the brachistocrone and how it was developed in relation to refraction. And if you still desire more, the rabbit hole goes on with the principle of least action.

This was one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid. Brilliant Australian television. ✌️🇦🇺

I love stumbling on things by accident and this is fantastic. Both relaxing (because of the voice and chilled out manner of delivery) and fascinating and informative. The chap reminded me of Brian Cant a bit.

That was pretty awesome. No frills, basic tools. Complexity turned into simplicity

KZfaq thinks I’m not watching enough educational videos. Thanks for caring.

No matter the subject, but hearing ppl talk about stuff with this sort of passion is just mesmerizing

We're told that smoking is bad for us, but look what a tobacco tin and a match can show us! Interesting video, thank you.😊

An isochronous curve is, in fact, the correct curve for a time-keeping pendulum. It is however, impossible to use (for pendulums) in practice. Sir Isaac Newton (along with Leibniz) was challenged to solve two mathematical problems by Johann Bernoulli. Newton solved both problems in a short period of time. One of them was the derivation of the isochronous curve. After Newton submitted his solutions anonymously. Bernoulli recognized the anonymous winner in public with the phrase, “tanquam ex ungue leonem,” Latin for “we know the lion by his claw.”

This was one of those totally random links in my “recommended” list. I’m glad I watched it. Very interesting. Thanks.

You guys were amazing to watch back in the day. Made education enthralling

I don’t know what got pushed out of my brain after learning this but it was worth it.

Things like this are some of the most fascinating things in this world. How come it's like this? What would it do if we weren't here to realise it? Now that we realised it, what can we do with it? (and so on...) Truly amazing stuff!

That tin can looks like missing inventory from a failed arctic mission, deserves a video in itself.

Great demo, really cool! This made me think of my old Spirograph. I’m sure there was a way to draw an isochronous curve with that setup.

This gentleman reminds me of my physics professor. Educational, but not monotone. Entertaining, but not joking around. His explanation is in the “Goldilocks zone”❤ Well said in Lehmans terms. Not like a 300 i.q. genius

Thanks for this explanation and demonstration. This might explain why when I start skateboarding at the bottom of a ramp, I always collide at the centre point with someone who starts at the top. I'm going to use this principle in my 3D simulations for creating some cool effects.

The curvature is continuously varying along the path, thus creating unique acceleration characteristics from every starting point along the curve. The nearer to the finish point you start, the less the acceleration.

The thing that baffles me the most is that modern KZfaq videos would do the same thing with a bisare amount of tech and unnecessary stuff, this video is soo elegant no matter how many times I see it.

This is the sort of TV we need these days. I for one am tired of reality TV, biased panel shows and contrived news.

I’m 51 and I used to watch this show when I was a young boy - no doubt one of the reasons I became a scientist!!AWESOME🤓

Now I know how Thanos felt. I now too, am cursed with knowledge.

Shame we dont get informative shows like this on TV anymore

It never ceases to amazing me the knowledge out there that it would never have occurred to me to seek. I don’t know if I would have know the earth was round if I’d not grown up when it was a commonly known. Sadly, it may never have occurred to me to ask, embarrassing as that is. You guys are amazing!

Useful for gaining maximum speed when constructing roller coasters.

I wonder how much this man would charge to come to someone's house and read bed time stories to them every night. Asking for a 31-year old friend........

I recall having to plot the path of a loci in a technical drawing class, in a similar way. Choosing a single point and plotting it's position through one revolution. This video has put a completely different aspect on that.

This show is amazing, never seen this explained this way, though I do remember this principle from school and racing marbles along different types of curves.

I grew up watching these guys but I was a thick ignorant child. Much more enjoyable as a 53 year old.

An absolute delight. Brilliantly presented and executed. I love the use of simple materials to demonstrate the concept.

Oh man, flashbacks of sitting crossed legged on 1970's school carpeting watching these guys on the old crt. They presented of course far more interesting concepts than anything our teacher had to say which was usually along the lines of shut up or I'll beat you with a stick. Ah memories, yeah we prefered the tv. Some people thought we watched too much back then, I don't know what they were worried about. I watched tv when I was a kid and I turned out tv.

We went through this demonstration/lesson in Physics in High School. It was one of those lessons that I will always remember as our teacher also explained how, based on that curve and how it graphs out over multiple revolutions and how it relates to distance and speed, there is a point where the part of the tire touching the ground is not going anywhere, yet your vehicle is moving forward. This lesson and lessons on infinity.... those were some of my favorites. My teacher took the point on a ruler and asked us to divide that by 2, then that by 2, then that by 2, etc. We obviously kept getting smaller and smaller numbers but soon realized that no matter how many times you divide the space on a ruler between 1" and 0 that you will never get to 0. You could divide the number in half for the rest of your life and never get to 0. So does that mean that there is an infinite amount of space between all objects, all matter?

Very cool presentation. I guess it has to do with the angle getting exponentially closer to 90 degrees as it goes towards the edge and this therefore causes an increase in speed or decrease in release speed as it moves along the curve. I’m sure there is some physics equation to explain this but I think my brain had enough for now 🙂👍🏻

I love this, every part of this brought me along at an easygoing pace, one that didn't make my brain feel like it was being jellied; made it easy to understand; and was calmly explained in a manner that made me think of Bob Ross. Lovely experience.

Okay. I just finished watching and by the point you said: "So this is what an isochronous curve looks like.", I thought: "Ah well yes, that is just logical! I already knew this, I am a smart man!" And then you started the demonstration on how the balls always collide at the centre... And then you showed us that the curve is faster than a straight line... Let me tell you... It´s exactly those kind of "But here´s what´s interresting..." moments, that I absolutely adore! I watch youtube far to much to honestly admit, but it´s these videos that just get me hooked time after time... Thank you so much! 👍

i absolutely adore the calm presentation of the old shows

it's just like vsauce! but without hipster music...

Geometry meets gravity. This principle applies to whatever "slingshot" effects might naturally occur in the traveling of objects. Best popular example is the half pipe in sports, notice it's not actually a half circle, it's a isochronus curve. This helps give the athletes the extra speed to make those cool jumps.

Ahhh this old educational vids have such a unique vibe to them. So juicy, ripe, rich in knowledge and calming

Interesting demonstration and we'll presented! I loved this part of entry level physics and it really reminded me of my old teacher... thank you for this! Great content!

Have to thank you two Rob and Deane for the brilliant and continuing efforts at science and reason education over the years and your excellent use of familiar everyday items to illustrate principles of physics. Its still needed now more than ever. I watched you as a school kid and as an almost retired design engineer still enjoy watching. You guys are legends

Back when Aus had some of the best educational tv ever, along with Julius sumner miller and wonder world etc. This was the dog's bollocks, always hooked you in and their enthusiasm and straight talking made you a part of the show.

Wowee this took me back to my primary school days!! I miss science classes like this that were easy, fun and hands on! I loved this video and was so impressed not gonna lie!

The Curiosity Show is still great to watch after all these years. Never boring! 👌

Can I just say how much I enjoyed this. I enjoyed it immensely, that's how much. A lot more than I expected. Isochronous curve has made my day. Never thought I'd say that sentence in my life lol. Sometimes you find a real gem on KZfaq which leaves a lasting impression. This video is definitely one of those gems in my book.

My goodness. I remember this show when I was (much) younger. Excellent television. I watched it religiously. Thank you to all involved in producing it and it is still great today.

I’ve stumbled upon a gem. Thank you, KZfaq Gods. Thank you.

Used to watch this all the time when i was a kid. Was always bummed out when i missed an episode.

idk why youtube recommends me that but it brings me back good memories.

Anyone else get this in their recommended?

Beautifully explained, something new learned today, thank you. 👍

Well, I am glad for being able to slow the playback speed on KZfaq, . Fascinating. Thank you.

An excellent demonstration and explanation of an Engineering principle! This was the type of programme you would see, early on Sunday mornings, or late at night, via the 'Open University'. I never understood much about mathematics, but I really enjoyed the programmes dedicated to Science and Physics.

This is like vsauce before it existed

this is one of the best channels ever for pure content

I love the bare bones craftsmanship still executing the concept successfully.

This isochronus curve is used in the half pipe used in snowboard 🏂 and skateboarding jumps.. Using the effects of Gravity... Momentum.. Speed.. And distance travelled to perform breathtaking Aerial Jumps...

You can notice that although the balls will reach that center mark at the same time, the one that started at the lower point on the curve bounces farther back when it collides with the other ball. This implies a few things: 1. The ball starting at the lower point had a lower amount of momentum than the other. 2. That ball had the same mass as the other ball, so the difference in momentum was because it was moving at a lower speed by the point it reached the center. 3. Since the balls started at different heights, they naturally also started with different amounts of potential energy and the same amount of kinetic energy, which was 0. So, this would naturally explain the difference in momentum and velocity when the 2 balls meet, which confirms the law of conservation of energy was upheld without any unknown forces adding energy into the system. The fact that the balls reach the center at the same time is actually the result of the inconsistent centripetal acceleration caused by this particular curve. The top of the curve is essentially a flat drop, so the only force on the ball at that point is gravity. Lower on the curve though, the ball fallows the curve at an angle, so its vertical velocity is converted bit by bit to horizontal velocity, until it reaches the center point. Although the conversion of the vertical speed to horizontal speed gives it a higher resulting velocity when it reaches the center, it had to travel a greater distance around the curve to get there than a ball starting at a lower point. This curve is special, because it perfectly balances the trade-off ratio between achieving greater end velocities at the cost of increasing the total distance traveled by the balls, so that the total distance traveled, divided by the average velocity throughout the curve, is equal to a constant amount of time elapsed. Or * D / V' = C *

Great demonstration and very cool to see!

I didn't search for this and didn't know the word isochronous existed but I stayed and I am glad I stayed.

When my son was about 11 years old he entered a Jaycee Relay Race. He’d never ran track before and didn’t know everybody wore shorts. He came in jeans, to everyone’s amusement. He ran the last leg for his team - and came away the fastest runner of the day, and made up considerable distance to win. This video made me think of that day. How I wish I had been able to see it, instead of only hear and read about it. I was a single mom and had to work. My son was an amazing athlete. ❤️

Thankyou Rob for uploading. Your show was a weekly highlight of my childhood. Brings back so many memories seeing this. Great stuff.

This show was the greatest thing on tv when I was a kid.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank goodness.

Bob Ross brother...

I have been telling people this for years and no one will listen.

I didn't even search for this but thank you for letting me learn a new thing today

That old school high pitched audio hum absolutely loves the leg space in my ear

I'm going to use this to get my employees to show up to work at the same time. Brilliant!

I'm 57, this is the first time I've ever heard of an isochronous curve. This video is fascinating!

wow... I am impressed. Very good presentation and now I want to know more. You have a new subscriber here.

What I took from this was proof and the fact there is a mathematical evidence of a theory I have had for some time now. When you start something new come out hot (or fast). The reason (of course) the ball on the curve hits the "finish line" first is it comes out fast! So, when you are taking on a task come out fast and get some momentum going. People I have worked with (or done anything with) in the past will say "Slow and steady wins the race" but as we can see here, that is not the case. the next time you take on a project come in guns blazing and get the first 20% of it done with all your effort. Once that momentum is going it's much easier to get the project done faster (overall) even if you can't maintain that speed the whole way though. Great video.

Very informative and well explained. I'm glad its found a home here on KZfaq for so many to enjoy.

Bob Ross Tim (from Grand Illusions) Rob The trinity of tranquillity.

I loved that show. Made me curious about Australia, UK and US.

Thank you rob. This is isochronous curve is very interesting.

I'll consider this my learning curve.

"The road to success isn't a straight line, it's an isochronus curve" -Sun Tzu, The Art Of Road or Success idk you decide

That is neat! Thanks for the very interesting lecture. I am sure there is math that goes along with this which explains the whole phenomenon, but glad you didn't talk about that! :)

Came for the title. Stayed for the incredible production values.