Chapter 2: Space Curves
Section 2.7: Frenet-Serret Formalism
Example 2.7.12
If C is the helix Rp=cosp i+sinp j+p k in Example 2.6.1,
Obtain its Darboux vector d.
Verify the three identities in Table 2.7.3.
Show that T′×T″=κ2d, where primes denote differentiation with respect to arc length s.
Solution
Mathematical Solution
Part (a)
By the usual techniques, obtain the items in Table 2.7.12(a).
T=12−sin(p)cos(p)1
N= −cos(p)sin(p)0
B=12sin(p)−cos(p)1
ρ=2
κ=1/2
τ=1/2
Table 2.7.12(a) Frenet formalism
The Darboux vector is then
d=τ T+κ B=122−sin(p)cos(p)1+122sin(p)−cos(p)1 = 001/2
Part (b)
The derivatives of the vectors in the TNB-frame must be taken with respect to the arc length s. Since R is given in terms of the parameter p, the chain rule must be invoked. Hence, dds=1ρ ddp.
Left-hand side
Right-hand side
dTdp1ρ = −12cos(p)sin(p)0
d×T = −12cos(p)sin(p)0
dNdp1ρ = 12sin(p)−cos(p)0
d×N = 12sin(p)−cos(p)0
dBdp1ρ = 12cos(p)sin(p)0
d×B = 12cos(p)sin(p)0
Part (c)
dTdp1ρ×d2Tdp21ρ2=002/8 = κ2 d
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 to set the display of vectors as columns.
BasisFormatfalse:
Frenet formalism: ρ,κ,τ,T,N,B
Contest Menu: Assign Name
R=cosp,sinp,p→assign
Keyboard the norm bars.
Calculus palette: Differentiation operator
Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻rho
ⅆⅆ p R = 2→assign to a nameρ
Write R. Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Frenet Formalism≻Curvature≻p
Context Panel: Simplify≻Simplify
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻kappa
R = →curvature14⁢2⁢cos⁡p2+2⁢sin⁡p2⁢2= simplify 12→assign to a nameκ
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻ Frenet Formalism≻Torsion≻p
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻tau
R = →torsion12→assign to a nameτ
Context Panel: Student Vector Calculus≻Frenet Formalism≻TNB Frame≻p
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻Q
R = →TNB frame →assign to a nameQ
Context Panel: Assign Name
T=Q1→assign
N=Q2→assign
B=Q3→assign
Obtain and display the Darboux vector
d=τ T+κ B→assign
Write d. Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
d = 12⁢Q1+12⁢Q3
Common Symbols palette: Cross product operator
ⅆⅆ p T/ρ =
d×T =
ⅆⅆ p N/ρ =
d×N =
ⅆⅆ p B/ρ =
d×B =
Calculus palette: Differentiation operators
Common Symbols palette: Cross product operator Press the Enter key.
ⅆⅆ p Tρ×ⅆ2ⅆp2 Tρ2
= simplify
κ2 d =
Maple Solution - Coded
Install the Student VectorCalculus package.
withStudent:-VectorCalculus:
Execute the BasisFormat command.
Define the position vector R and obtain ρ,k,τ
Define R as per Table 1.1.1.
R≔cosp,sinp,p:
Apply the Norm command to the result of the diff command.
ρ≔NormdiffR,p = 2
Apply the simplify command to the result of the Curvature command.
κ≔simplifyCurvatureR = 12
Apply the Torsion command.
τ≔TorsionR = 12
Obtain and display the vectors of the TNB-frame
Apply the TangentVector, PrincipalNormal, and Binormal commands, all with the normalized option.
T≔TangentVectorR,normalized:N≔PrincipalNormalR,normalized:B≔BinormalR,normalized:
T,N,B
Obtain the Darboux vector
Implement the definition of the Darboux vector.
d≔τ T+κ B =
Apply the diff command.
Apply the CrossProduct command.
diffT,pρ =
CrossProductd,T =
diffN,pρ =
CrossProductd,N =
diffB,pρ =
CrossProductd,B =
simplifyCrossProductdiffT,pρ,diffT,p,pρ2
κ2 d
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