What is a Cycloid?
- A cycloid is a curve generated by a point on the circumference of the circle as the circle rolls along a straight line with out slipping..
- The moving circle is called the "Generating circle" and the straight line is called the "Directing line" or the "Base line".
- The point on the Generating circle which generates the curve is called the "Generating point"
Construction of a Cycloid
- Step1: Draw the generating circle and the base line equal to the circumference of the generating circle
- Step 2 : Divide the circle and the base line in to equal number of parts. also erect the perpendicular lines from the division of the line
- Step 3: with your compass set to the radius of the circle and centers as C1,C2,C3,.... etc cut the arcs on the lines from circle through 1,2,3, .. etc.
- By joining these new points you will have created the locus of the point P for the circle as it rotates along the straight line with out slipping