Chapter 2: Space Curves
Section 2.4: Curvature
Example 2.4.9
Obtain and graph the curvature of the curve defined by Rp=3 p−p3 i+3 p2 j+3 p+p3 k.
Solution
Mathematical Solution
To compute the curvature via the formula κ=∥R′×R″∥/ρ3 , first obtain
R′=3−3 p26 p3+3 p2, R″=−6 p66 p, ρ=∥R′∥ = 32p2+1
then calculate R′×R″ = |ijk31−p26 p31+p2−6 p66 p| = 18 (p2−1)−36 p318(p2+1) so that
∥R′×R″∥ρ3 = 182p2+154p2+13 = 13p2+12
To compute the curvature via the definition κ=T′s, first apply the chain rule so that
T′s=dTdp dpds=dTdp 1ρ
Since Tp=R′p/ρ, it follows that
T′s=ddp3(1−p2)6 p3 (1+ p2)32 p2+132p2+1 = −2p2+122 pp2−1032p2+1 = −13p2+132 pp2−10
so that
T′s = p4+2 p2+13p2+13 = p2+123p2+13 = 13p2+12
plot(1/3/(p^2+1)^2,p=-2..2,size=[300,300]);
Figure 2.4.9(a) Graph of the curvature
Maple Solution - Interactive
Initialize
Tools≻Load Package: Student Vector Calculus
Loading Student:-VectorCalculus
Execute the BasisFormat command at the right, or use the task template.
BasisFormatfalse:
Write R=… as per Table 1.1.1.
Context Panel: Assign Name
R=3 p−p3,3 p2,3 p+p3→assign
Obtain the curvature
Write R and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Frenet Formalism≻Curvature≻p
Context Panel: Simplify≻Assuming Positive
R
→curvature
16⁢−16⁢2⁢−3⁢p2+3⁢csgn⁡1,p2+1csgn⁡p2+12⁢p2+1−13⁢2⁢−3⁢p2+3⁢pcsgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12−2⁢pcsgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12+−2⁢p⁢csgn⁡1,p2+1csgn⁡p2+12⁢p2+1−2⁢2⁢p2csgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12+2csgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12+−16⁢2⁢3⁢p2+3⁢csgn⁡1,p2+1csgn⁡p2+12⁢p2+1−13⁢2⁢3⁢p2+3⁢pcsgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12+2⁢pcsgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+12⁢2csgn⁡p2+1⁢p2+1
→assuming positive
13⁢p2+12
Obtain the curvature as κ=∥R′×R″∥/ρ3
Make R′ an Atomic Identifier.
Calculus palette: Differentiation operator
R′=ⅆⅆ p R→assign
Make R″ an Atomic Identifier.
R″=ⅆ2ⅆp2 R→assign
Keyboard the norm bars.
ρ=∥R′∥→assign
Make R′ and R″ Atomic Identifiers.
Common Symbols palette: Cross product operator
Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
R′×R″ρ3 = 13⁢p2+12
Obtain the curvature as κ=T′s then graph κ
T=R′/ρ→assign
Calculus palette: Differentiation operator Press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Plots≻Plot Builder Set −2≤p≤2 Options: Size≻200,200
ⅆⅆ p T/ρ
13⁢csgn⁡1p2+12p2+12
→
Display computed quantities
R′,R″,ρ,T
Maple Solution - Coded
Install the Student VectorCalculus package.
withStudent:-VectorCalculus:
Define the helix as a position vector.
R≔3 p−p3,3 p2,3 p+p3:
Apply the Curvature and simplify commands.
simplifyCurvatureR,p assuming positive
Use the TangentVector command to obtain Tp.
T≔TangentVectorR,p,normalized:
Apply the diff command to obtain R′p.
Apply the Norm command to obtain ρ=∥R′∥.
ρ≔NormdiffR,p:
Apply the diff, CrossProduct, and Norm commands.
NormCrossProductdiffR,p,diffR,p,pρ3
Obtain the curvature as κ=T′s
Apply the diff, Norm, and simplify commands.
κ≔simplifyNormdiffT,pρ assuming positive
Graph the curvature
Apply the plot command.
plotκ,p=−2..2,size=200,200
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