Chapter 2: Space Curves
Section 2.4: Curvature
Example 2.4.7
Obtain and graph the curvature of the curve defined by Rp=p i+3 p2 j+p3 k.
Solution
Mathematical Solution
To compute the curvature via the formula κ=∥R′×R″∥/ρ3 , first obtain
R′=16 p3 p2, R″=066 p, ρ=∥R′∥ = 1+36 p2+9 p4
then calculate R′×R″ = |ijk16 p3 p2066 p| = 18 p2−6 p6 so that
∥R′×R″∥ρ3 = 69 p4+p2+11+36 p2+9 p43/2
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=ddp(11+36 p2+9 p416 p3 p2) 1+36 p2+9 p4 = 6 9⁢p4+36⁢p2+1−2 −3⁢p⁢p2+2−9⁢p4+1p⁢18⁢p2+1
so that
T′s = 6 9⁢p4+p2+1⁢9⁢p4+36⁢p2+19⁢p4+36⁢p2+12=69⁢p4+p2+19⁢p4+36⁢p2+13/2
plot(6*sqrt(9*p^4+p^2+1)/(9*p^4+36*p^2+1)^(3/2),p=-2..2,size=[300,300]);
Figure 2.4.7(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=p,3 p2,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
12⁢36⁢p3+72⁢p29⁢p4+36⁢p2+13+4⁢−3⁢p⁢36⁢p3+72⁢p9⁢p4+36⁢p2+13/2+69⁢p4+36⁢p2+12+4⁢−32⁢p2⁢36⁢p3+72⁢p9⁢p4+36⁢p2+13/2+6⁢p9⁢p4+36⁢p2+129⁢p4+36⁢p2+1
→assuming positive
6⁢9⁢p4+p2+19⁢p4+36⁢p2+13/2
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 = 6⁢9⁢p4+p2+19⁢p4+36⁢p2+13/2
Obtain the curvature as κ=T′s then graph κ
T=R′/ρ→assign
Calculus palette: Differentiation operator Press the Enter key.
Context Menu: Simplify≻Assuming Positive
Context Panel: Plots≻Plot Builder Set −2≤p≤2 Options: Size≻200,200
ⅆⅆ p T/ρ
6⁢9⁢p4+p2+19⁢p4+36⁢p2+13
→
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≔p,3 p2,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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