For the following discussion, we will consider a parameterized curve defined by the vector function \(\displaystyle{ \vec{r}(t) = \langle x(t), y(t), z(t) \rangle }\) which is traversed once on the continuous interval \( a \leq t \leq b \).
Some books use the Greek letter \(\kappa\) (kappa) for curvature. We use a capital K.
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The curvature of a smooth curve is a measure of how 'tight' or 'sharp' the curve is. If we have a smooth curve \(\vec{r}\) and we have a function s which is the arc length function, the curvature is defined to be
\(\displaystyle{ K(s) = \left\| \frac{d\vec{T}}{ds} \right\|}\).
This equation for the curvature is not particularly useful for calculations. So we have several other ways to write the equation of the curvature. But first notice, that the curvature is a scalar function, not a vector function. And since it is the norm of a vector, the curvature will always be positive.
Curvature Formula #1
For our first equation to use when calculating the curvature, we will use the chain rule to write \(\displaystyle{ \frac{d\vec{T}}{dt} = \frac{d\vec{T}}{ds} \cdot \frac{ds}{dt} }\). We can solve for \(d\vec{T}/ds\) to get
\(\displaystyle{ K = \left\| \frac{d\vec{T}}{ds} \right\| = \frac{\| d\vec{T}/dt \|}{ \| ds/dt \| } = \frac{1}{\| \vec{v} \|} \left\| \frac{d\vec{T}}{dt} \right\| }\)
Notice in the previous equation, we used \(ds/dt = \|\vec{v}\|\) to simplify the equation somewhat.
Now we can write the first curvature formula in a form that we can use for calculations.
\[\displaystyle{ K(t) = \frac{1}{\|\vec{v}\|} \left\| \frac{d\vec{T}}{dt} \right\| = \frac{\| \vec{T}'(t) \|}{\|\vec{r}'(t)\|} }\]
Curvature Formula #2
If we define a vector \(\vec{a} = d\vec{v}/dt\) as an acceleration vector, a second curvature formula is \[\displaystyle{ K=\frac{\|\vec{v} \times \vec{a} \|}{\|\vec{v}\|^3} }\] Before working some practice problems, here is a quick video clip for you that should help you understand curvature a bit better.
video by MIP4U |
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Practice
Unless otherwise instructed, calculate the curvature of these vector functions. If a point is given, calculate the curvature at that point also. Give your answers in exact, completely factored form.
\( \vec{r}(t) = 3t\vhat{i} + 4\sin t\vhat{j} + \) \( 4\cos t\vhat{k} \)
Problem Statement |
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Calculate the curvature of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = 3t\vhat{i} + 4\sin t\vhat{j} + \) \( 4\cos t\vhat{k} \). Give your answer in exact, completely factored form.
Final Answer |
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\( K(t) = 4/25 \)
Problem Statement
Calculate the curvature of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = 3t\vhat{i} + 4\sin t\vhat{j} + \) \( 4\cos t\vhat{k} \). Give your answer in exact, completely factored form.
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
\( K(t) = 4/25 \)
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\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(t), 2\sin(t) \rangle \)
Problem Statement |
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Calculate the curvature of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(t), 2\sin(t) \rangle \). Give your answer in exact, completely factored form.
Final Answer |
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\( K(t) = 1/2 \)
Problem Statement
Calculate the curvature of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(t), 2\sin(t) \rangle \). Give your answer in exact, completely factored form.
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( K(t) = 1/2 \)
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\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2/2, t^3/3 \rangle \), \(t=1\)
Problem Statement |
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Find the curvature at \(t=1\) for \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2/2, t^3/3 \rangle \).
Final Answer |
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\( K(1) = \sqrt{2}/3 \)
Problem Statement
Find the curvature at \(t=1\) for \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle t, t^2/2, t^3/3 \rangle \).
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( K(1) = \sqrt{2}/3 \)
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\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t, 2t^3, 3t^4 \rangle \), \( t = 2 \).
Problem Statement |
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Find the curvature of \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t, 2t^3, 3t^4 \rangle \) at \( t = 2 \).
Final Answer |
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\( K(t) = 24\sqrt{3229}/(9817)^{3/2} \)
Problem Statement
Find the curvature of \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t, 2t^3, 3t^4 \rangle \) at \( t = 2 \).
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( K(t) = 24\sqrt{3229}/(9817)^{3/2} \)
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\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(3t),2\sin(3t), \) \(4t \rangle \), \( t = 0 \).
Problem Statement |
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Find the curvature of \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(3t),2\sin(3t), \) \(4t \rangle \) at \( t = 0 \).
Final Answer |
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9/26
Problem Statement
Find the curvature of \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle 2\cos(3t),2\sin(3t), \) \(4t \rangle \) at \( t = 0 \).
Solution
This problem is solved in each of these videos. The first video uses the cross product version of the curvature formula, the second video does not use the cross product.
video by MIP4U |
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video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
9/26
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Find the curvature, \(\kappa\), for the curve \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle (2/3)t^3, t, t^2 \rangle \). Simplify your answer as much as possible.
Problem Statement
Find the curvature, \(\kappa\), for the curve \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle (2/3)t^3, t, t^2 \rangle \). Simplify your answer as much as possible.
Solution
video by Steve Butler |
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