To find the unit tangent vector for a vector function, we use the formula T(t)=(r'(t))/(||r'(t)||), where r'(t) is the derivative of the vector function and t is given. We’ll start by finding the derivative of the vector function, and then we’ll find the magnitude of the derivative. Those two values will give us everything we need in order to build the expression for the unit tangent vector.
Read MoreIn this lesson we’ll look at the step-by-step process for finding the equations of the normal and osculating planes of a vector function. We’ll need to use the binormal vector, but we can only find the binormal vector by using the unit tangent vector and unit normal vector, so we’ll need to start by first finding those unit vectors.
Read MoreThe unit tangent vector T(t) of a vector function is the vector that’s 1 unit long and tangent to the vector function at the point t. Remember that |r'(t)| is the magnitude of the derivative of the vector function at time t. The unit normal vector N(t) of the same vector function is the vector that’s 1 unit long and perpendicular to the unit tangent vector at the same point t.
Read MoreTo find curvature of a vector function, we need the derivative of the vector function, the magnitude of the derivative, the unit tangent vector, its derivative, and the magnitude of its derivative. Once we have all of these values, we can use them to find the curvature.
Read MoreAt any given point along a curve, we can find the acceleration vector ‘a’ that represents acceleration at that point. If we find the unit tangent vector T and the unit normal vector N at the same point, then the tangential component of acceleration a_T and the normal component of acceleration a_N are shown in the diagram below.
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