Curvature defined as k(t)=(norm(T'(t)))/(v(t)) , explanation of the proof. I have problems to understand how it's derived the formula for the curvature k(t)=(norm(T'(t)))/(v(t)). The derivation starts with the equality (dT)/(ds) (ds)/(dt)=(dT)/(dt) where T is the unit velocity vector for the curve and s is the arc length function for the curve. So (dT)/(ds)=(T′(t))/(v(t)) and from here it's all clear to me how to finish. Initially I supposed it was just an application of chain rule, but if I rewrite the proof in Netwon's notation I obtain [T(s(t))]′=T′(s(t))s′(t)=T′(s(t))v(t) So to get the final equality I should have [T(s(t))]′=T′(t), but is it always the case ? I don't know if it is useful the fact that T(s(t)) and T(t) have the same trajectory (in general they differ for a c

Matonya

Matonya

Open question

2022-08-14

Curvature defined as k ( t ) = T ( t ) v ( t ) , explanation of the proof
I have problems to understand how it's derived the formula for the curvature k ( t ) = T ( t ) v ( t )
The derivation starts with the equality
d T d s d s d t = d T d t
where T is the unit velocity vector for the curve and s is the arc length function for the curve.
So
d T d s = T ( t ) v ( t )
and from here it's all clear to me how to finish.
Initially I supposed it was just an application of chain rule, but if I rewrite the proof in Netwon's notation I obtain
[ T ( s ( t ) ) ] = T ( s ( t ) ) s ( t ) = T ( s ( t ) ) v ( t )So to get the final equality I should have [ T ( s ( t ) ) ] = T ( t ), but is it always the case ?
I don't know if it is useful the fact that T(s(t)) and T(t) have the same trajectory (in general they differ for a certain value of t though). Is this enough? Why?

Answer & Explanation

Alisa Medina

Alisa Medina

Beginner2022-08-15Added 4 answers

Leibniz notation obscures what's going on. If everything is functions of t and we reparametrize the curve by arclength, getting α ( t ) = α ~ ( s ( t ) ),then α ( t ) = T ~ ( s ( t ) ) υ ( t ) and T ( t ) = α ( t ) α ( t ) = T ~ ( s ( t ) ) υ ( t ) υ ( t ) = T ~ ( s ( t ) ). Now the chain rule gives
T ( t ) = ( T ~ s ) ( t ) = T ~ ( s ( t ) ) υ ( t ) = k ~ ( s ( t ) ) υ ( t ) ,
so
k ( t ) = k ~ ( s ( t ) ) = T ( t ) υ ( t ) .

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