unit tangent and normal vectors

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June 8th 2009, 05:57 PM
Link88

unit tangent and normal vectors

r(t)=cos(t)i + sin(t)j + (t)k. Find the unit tangent and normal vectors as well as the curvature. Sketch the graph.
June 8th 2009, 07:36 PM
mr fantastic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Link88

r(t)=cos(t)i + sin(t)j + (t)k. Find the unit tangent and normal vectors as well as the curvature. Sketch the graph.

You should start by reviewing and then applying the mathematical formulas for these three things. Where do you get stuck?
June 8th 2009, 07:54 PM
Link88

I get how to use the forumals Im just not sure how to apply when its in the i + j + k form
June 9th 2009, 11:34 AM
HallsofIvy

Given a curve in the form $\vec{r}(t)= f(t)\vec{i}+ g(t)\vec{j}+ h(t)\vec{k}$ , a tangent vector but not necessarily the unit tangent, is $\vec{r}'(t)= f'(t)\vec{i}+ g'(t)\vec{j}+ h'(t)\vec{k}$ .

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