An energy perspective on Galileo’s kinematic paradox

Abstract

The connection between kinematics and work-energy principles is often not emphasized enough for students to appreciate fully. Highlighting the relationship between the kinematic equations and the conservation of total mechanical energy is crucial. We revisit the solution to Galileo's kinematic paradox from an energy perspective. Galileo stated that the time it takes for an object to travel from the top to the bottom point of a vertical circle is the same regardless of its path. While mathematical proofs of this statement using kinematic approaches are well-documented, this paper explores the problem from an energy standpoint, using experimental evidence to elucidate the relationship between kinematics and energy.