Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 14 - Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions - 14.4 Curvature - Exercises - Page 736: 56

Answer

(a) its curvature is zero (b) the space curve is a line (c) the space curve lies in a plane

Work Step by Step

(a) A space curve which has a constant unit tangent vector ${\bf{T}}$ has unit speed. By definition, it is parametrized by arc length. By definition of curvature $\kappa \left( s \right) = ||\frac{{d{\bf{T}}}}{{ds}}||$, its curvature is zero. (b) The normal vector at $t$ is given by ${\bf{N}}\left( t \right) = \frac{{{\bf{T}}'\left( t \right)}}{{||{\bf{T}}'\left( t \right)||}}$. If the normal vector is constant, then ${\bf{T}}'\left( t \right)$ is constant. Thus, the unit tangent vector is a linear function of $t$. Hence, the space curve is a line. (c) The binomial vector ${\bf{B}}$ is perpendicular to the osculating plane formed by ${\bf{T}}$ and ${\bf{N}}$. If ${\bf{B}}$ is constant, then the space curve lies in a plane.
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