Given a parametric curve $x=t\cos t, y=t\sin t, z=at$ I try to calculate the curvature by using http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curvature§ion=8#Local_expressions_2 I checked the calculations in WolframAlpha and everythings is ok. I get something like $\frac{\sqrt{t^4 + 4t^2 + 4 + t^2 a^2 + 4 a^2}}{(t^2 + 2 + a^2)^\frac{3}{2}}$ I found this exercise in two books and they say the result is $\frac{2}{1+a^2}$
Curvature of a parametric curve in three-dimensional space
2
$\begingroup$
calculus
differential-geometry
1 Answers
0
What books? The curve is a helix whose radius increases over time... obviously this curve can't have constant curvature.
Your denominator should be $(t^2+1+a^2)^{3/2}$, but otherwise your answer matches mine.
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0yes, you're right. – 2011-12-08