Chapter 10: Problem 29
Find the curvature \(K\) of the curve. $$ \mathbf{r}(t)=4 \cos 2 \pi t \mathbf{i}+4 \sin 2 \pi t \mathbf{j} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The curvature of the given curve \(\mathbf{r}(t)\) is \(\frac{1}{2 \pi}\).
Step by step solution
01
Compute the first derivative of \(\mathbf{r}(t)\)
The derivative of a vector function is computed component-wise. So, the first derivative \(\mathbf{r}'(t)\) is given by: \(\mathbf{r}'(t) = -8 \pi \sin(2 \pi t) \mathbf{i} + 8 \pi \cos(2 \pi t) \mathbf{j}\).
02
Compute the second derivative of \(\mathbf{r}(t)\)
Following the same procedure as in step 1, the second derivative \(\mathbf{r}''(t)\) is given by: \(\mathbf{r}''(t) = -16 \pi^2 \cos(2 \pi t) \mathbf{i} - 16 \pi^2 \sin(2 \pi t) \mathbf{j}\).
03
Compute the magnitudes of the first and second derivatives
The magnitude of a vector \(\mathbf{a} = a_x \mathbf{i} + a_y \mathbf{j}\) is given by \(|\mathbf{a}| = \sqrt{a_x^2 + a_y^2}\). Therefore, \(|\mathbf{r}'(t)| = \sqrt{(-8 \pi \sin(2 \pi t))^2 + (8 \pi \cos(2 \pi t))^2} = 8 \pi\). Using the same mathematics, we get that \(|\mathbf{r}''(t)| = \sqrt{(-16 \pi^2 \cos(2 \pi t))^2 + (-16 \pi^2 \sin(2 \pi t))^2} = 16 \pi^2\).
04
Compute the cross product
The cross product of 2-dimensional vectors \(\mathbf{a} = a_x \mathbf{i} + a_y \mathbf{j}\) and \(\mathbf{b} = b_x \mathbf{i} + b_y \mathbf{j}\) is given by \(|\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}| = |a_x b_y - a_y b_x|\). Therefore, \(\mathbf{r}'(t) \times \mathbf{r}''(t) = |-8 \pi \sin(2 \pi t)\times -16 \pi^2 \sin(2 \pi t) - 8 \pi \cos(2 \pi t) \times -16 \pi^2 \cos(2 \pi t)| = 256 \pi^3\).
05
Evaluate the curvature
Use the formula for curvature, \(K = \frac{|\mathbf{r}'(t) \times \mathbf{r}''(t)|}{|\mathbf{r}'(t)|^3}\). Substituting the magnitudes of \(\mathbf{r}'(t) = 8 \pi\), \(\mathbf{r}''(t) = 16 \pi^2\), and cross product \(256 \pi^3\) gives: \(K = \frac{256 \pi^3}{(8 \pi)^3} = \frac{1}{2 \pi}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vector Calculus
Vector calculus is a field of mathematics that deals with vector fields and operations on them. In problems involving curves, we often look at vector functions like \( \mathbf{r}(t) \) which represent paths or trajectories in space.
In vector calculus:
In vector calculus:
- Vectors can have both magnitude and direction.
- Operations include addition, scalar multiplication, dot product, and cross product.
Parametric Equations
Parametric equations define curves by expressing coordinates as functions of a parameter, often \( t \). This allows us to:
- Represent a wide variety of curves.
- Describe motion where x and y can vary independently with time.
Cross Product
The cross product is a way to measure perpendicular interaction between two vectors in three-dimensional space. However, in the 2D plane, we can derive a scalar value from 2D vectors using a modified cross product.
- This scalar helps find curvature in 2D curves.
- Calculated as \( |\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}| = |a_x b_y - a_y b_x| \) in 2D.
Derivative
Derivatives are fundamental in calculus and measure how functions change. For vector functions, derivatives tell us about velocity and acceleration.
- The first derivative \( \mathbf{r}'(t) \) gives the velocity vector.
- The second derivative \( \mathbf{r}''(t) \) provides the acceleration vector.
Curves in Plane Geometry
Curves in plane geometry depict shapes confined to a two-dimensional plane. Curvature is a measure of a curve's deviation from being a straight line.
- Circle arcs, parabolas, and spirals are examples of such curves.
- Curvature \( K \) quantifies this bending, computed as \( K = \frac{|\mathbf{r}'(t) \times \mathbf{r}''(t)|}{|\mathbf{r}'(t)|^3} \).