What does do Carmo mean here and also what is a curve parametrized by arc length?












2












$begingroup$


From do Carmo Differential Geometry:




enter image description here








In the third paragraph, Do Carmo says:




it can happen that the parameter $t$ is already the arc length
measured from some point.




What does he mean by this?



Also, what does he mean by curves parametrized by arc length?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$

















    2












    $begingroup$


    From do Carmo Differential Geometry:




    enter image description here








    In the third paragraph, Do Carmo says:




    it can happen that the parameter $t$ is already the arc length
    measured from some point.




    What does he mean by this?



    Also, what does he mean by curves parametrized by arc length?










    share|cite|improve this question









    $endgroup$















      2












      2








      2


      1



      $begingroup$


      From do Carmo Differential Geometry:




      enter image description here








      In the third paragraph, Do Carmo says:




      it can happen that the parameter $t$ is already the arc length
      measured from some point.




      What does he mean by this?



      Also, what does he mean by curves parametrized by arc length?










      share|cite|improve this question









      $endgroup$




      From do Carmo Differential Geometry:




      enter image description here








      In the third paragraph, Do Carmo says:




      it can happen that the parameter $t$ is already the arc length
      measured from some point.




      What does he mean by this?



      Also, what does he mean by curves parametrized by arc length?







      calculus differential-geometry






      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question











      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question










      asked Jan 19 at 2:00









      WolfgangWolfgang

      4,29943377




      4,29943377






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          2












          $begingroup$

          A curve $c: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ can be parametrized in many different ways. All parametrizations will have the same image $c([0,1])$ in $mathbb{R}^3$ (or more generally $mathbb{R}^n$) as subsets of the ambient space but they can have different velocity vectors at different points. For example, you can switch $t$ with $2t-1$ over $[0,1]$ and you'll get a parametrization that is twice faster because of the chain rule.



          In general, assuming that our curve is at least twice continuously differentiable, when we want to compute curvature or torsion, it's easier to deal with curves having the constant speed $1$. Think about acceleration which is related to curvature, for example. Physically, we know that a change in velocity exerts a force on us by Newton's second law of motion $vec{F}=mvec{a}$. But a change in velocity can be caused by a change in its magnitude or a change in its direction. In geometry, we're interested mostly in the later kind of change which depends on the shape of our path (curve) rather than the speed we're traveling at.



          So, we want to have $forall t:| alpha'(t) | = 1$. It can be shown that for any regular curve $(|alpha'(t)|neq 0)$ that is continuously differentiable, such a parametrization exists: a parametrization that gives the same curve as the image of the function $alpha: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ while it has the property that $forall t: | alpha'(t) | = 1$. This parametrization is sometimes called the standard parametrization and it's defined by reparametrization of the curve by its arc-length.



          Note that the arc-length of a curve from its starting point up to $t$ is defined as:



          $$s(t) = int_0^t | alpha'(u)| du$$



          Because $| alpha'(u)|>0$ due to the regularity of our curve, $s(t)$ is a strictly increasing function. So, $s(t)$ has an inverse function. Let's call the inverse $t(s)$. Now define $beta(s)=alpha(t(s))$. Now observe that we have $|beta'(s)|=1$ by the chain rule. This is our desired parametrization.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$





















            1












            $begingroup$

            The phrases "conversely" and "i.e." are important. The converse of $Pto Q$ is $Qto P$. And "$P_1$ i.e. $P_2$" means that $P_1$ and $P_2$ mean the same thing. Now, the paragraph takes the following form:




            If $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point, then $Q$. Conversely, if $Q$ then $P$; i.e., $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point.




            This means that we are to take "$t$ is already the arc length measured from some point" to be the same statement as $P$. And $P$ is the statement that $s=t-t_0$.



            In the following paragraph, "curves parametrized by arc length" means curves that satisfy either of the equivalent conditions in the preceding paragraph. Explicitly, a curve is parametrized by arc length if $|alpha'(t)|equiv1$, or equivalently if $s=t-t_0$.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$





















              1












              $begingroup$

              I will attempt to give an intuitive explanation instead of an analytical one: Parameterizing a curve essentially means identifying the position along the curve for a given value of a parameter - that is, relating the curve (in physical space) with a copy of the real line (the parameter space). The parameter can have various physical interpretations and units.



              For example, when one drives along a road, possible options to identify the position can be:




              1. where one is after driving for 20 minutes;

              2. where one is after driving for 20 kilometers.


              In the first case, the parameter is the time since starting, measured through standard methods - but different drivers can be in different places after driving for the exact same amount of time.



              In the second case the parameter is the distance driven, or the arclength of the road from the starting point until that position. That is usually identified by markers along the road, and no matter who drives, 20 km from the start point is going to be the same place.



              The first approach emphasizes the parameter, outside the curve (hence extrinsic), the second emphasizes the curve (hence intrinsic).



              The arclength parameterization is essentially a way of identifying the position after moving a certain distance along the curve from a fixed starting point.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$













                Your Answer





                StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
                return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
                StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
                StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
                });
                });
                }, "mathjax-editing");

                StackExchange.ready(function() {
                var channelOptions = {
                tags: "".split(" "),
                id: "69"
                };
                initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

                StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
                // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
                if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
                StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
                createEditor();
                });
                }
                else {
                createEditor();
                }
                });

                function createEditor() {
                StackExchange.prepareEditor({
                heartbeatType: 'answer',
                autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
                convertImagesToLinks: true,
                noModals: true,
                showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
                reputationToPostImages: 10,
                bindNavPrevention: true,
                postfix: "",
                imageUploader: {
                brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
                contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
                allowUrls: true
                },
                noCode: true, onDemand: true,
                discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
                ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
                });


                }
                });














                draft saved

                draft discarded


















                StackExchange.ready(
                function () {
                StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3078942%2fwhat-does-do-carmo-mean-here-and-also-what-is-a-curve-parametrized-by-arc-length%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                }
                );

                Post as a guest















                Required, but never shown

























                3 Answers
                3






                active

                oldest

                votes








                3 Answers
                3






                active

                oldest

                votes









                active

                oldest

                votes






                active

                oldest

                votes









                2












                $begingroup$

                A curve $c: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ can be parametrized in many different ways. All parametrizations will have the same image $c([0,1])$ in $mathbb{R}^3$ (or more generally $mathbb{R}^n$) as subsets of the ambient space but they can have different velocity vectors at different points. For example, you can switch $t$ with $2t-1$ over $[0,1]$ and you'll get a parametrization that is twice faster because of the chain rule.



                In general, assuming that our curve is at least twice continuously differentiable, when we want to compute curvature or torsion, it's easier to deal with curves having the constant speed $1$. Think about acceleration which is related to curvature, for example. Physically, we know that a change in velocity exerts a force on us by Newton's second law of motion $vec{F}=mvec{a}$. But a change in velocity can be caused by a change in its magnitude or a change in its direction. In geometry, we're interested mostly in the later kind of change which depends on the shape of our path (curve) rather than the speed we're traveling at.



                So, we want to have $forall t:| alpha'(t) | = 1$. It can be shown that for any regular curve $(|alpha'(t)|neq 0)$ that is continuously differentiable, such a parametrization exists: a parametrization that gives the same curve as the image of the function $alpha: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ while it has the property that $forall t: | alpha'(t) | = 1$. This parametrization is sometimes called the standard parametrization and it's defined by reparametrization of the curve by its arc-length.



                Note that the arc-length of a curve from its starting point up to $t$ is defined as:



                $$s(t) = int_0^t | alpha'(u)| du$$



                Because $| alpha'(u)|>0$ due to the regularity of our curve, $s(t)$ is a strictly increasing function. So, $s(t)$ has an inverse function. Let's call the inverse $t(s)$. Now define $beta(s)=alpha(t(s))$. Now observe that we have $|beta'(s)|=1$ by the chain rule. This is our desired parametrization.






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$


















                  2












                  $begingroup$

                  A curve $c: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ can be parametrized in many different ways. All parametrizations will have the same image $c([0,1])$ in $mathbb{R}^3$ (or more generally $mathbb{R}^n$) as subsets of the ambient space but they can have different velocity vectors at different points. For example, you can switch $t$ with $2t-1$ over $[0,1]$ and you'll get a parametrization that is twice faster because of the chain rule.



                  In general, assuming that our curve is at least twice continuously differentiable, when we want to compute curvature or torsion, it's easier to deal with curves having the constant speed $1$. Think about acceleration which is related to curvature, for example. Physically, we know that a change in velocity exerts a force on us by Newton's second law of motion $vec{F}=mvec{a}$. But a change in velocity can be caused by a change in its magnitude or a change in its direction. In geometry, we're interested mostly in the later kind of change which depends on the shape of our path (curve) rather than the speed we're traveling at.



                  So, we want to have $forall t:| alpha'(t) | = 1$. It can be shown that for any regular curve $(|alpha'(t)|neq 0)$ that is continuously differentiable, such a parametrization exists: a parametrization that gives the same curve as the image of the function $alpha: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ while it has the property that $forall t: | alpha'(t) | = 1$. This parametrization is sometimes called the standard parametrization and it's defined by reparametrization of the curve by its arc-length.



                  Note that the arc-length of a curve from its starting point up to $t$ is defined as:



                  $$s(t) = int_0^t | alpha'(u)| du$$



                  Because $| alpha'(u)|>0$ due to the regularity of our curve, $s(t)$ is a strictly increasing function. So, $s(t)$ has an inverse function. Let's call the inverse $t(s)$. Now define $beta(s)=alpha(t(s))$. Now observe that we have $|beta'(s)|=1$ by the chain rule. This is our desired parametrization.






                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$
















                    2












                    2








                    2





                    $begingroup$

                    A curve $c: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ can be parametrized in many different ways. All parametrizations will have the same image $c([0,1])$ in $mathbb{R}^3$ (or more generally $mathbb{R}^n$) as subsets of the ambient space but they can have different velocity vectors at different points. For example, you can switch $t$ with $2t-1$ over $[0,1]$ and you'll get a parametrization that is twice faster because of the chain rule.



                    In general, assuming that our curve is at least twice continuously differentiable, when we want to compute curvature or torsion, it's easier to deal with curves having the constant speed $1$. Think about acceleration which is related to curvature, for example. Physically, we know that a change in velocity exerts a force on us by Newton's second law of motion $vec{F}=mvec{a}$. But a change in velocity can be caused by a change in its magnitude or a change in its direction. In geometry, we're interested mostly in the later kind of change which depends on the shape of our path (curve) rather than the speed we're traveling at.



                    So, we want to have $forall t:| alpha'(t) | = 1$. It can be shown that for any regular curve $(|alpha'(t)|neq 0)$ that is continuously differentiable, such a parametrization exists: a parametrization that gives the same curve as the image of the function $alpha: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ while it has the property that $forall t: | alpha'(t) | = 1$. This parametrization is sometimes called the standard parametrization and it's defined by reparametrization of the curve by its arc-length.



                    Note that the arc-length of a curve from its starting point up to $t$ is defined as:



                    $$s(t) = int_0^t | alpha'(u)| du$$



                    Because $| alpha'(u)|>0$ due to the regularity of our curve, $s(t)$ is a strictly increasing function. So, $s(t)$ has an inverse function. Let's call the inverse $t(s)$. Now define $beta(s)=alpha(t(s))$. Now observe that we have $|beta'(s)|=1$ by the chain rule. This is our desired parametrization.






                    share|cite|improve this answer











                    $endgroup$



                    A curve $c: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ can be parametrized in many different ways. All parametrizations will have the same image $c([0,1])$ in $mathbb{R}^3$ (or more generally $mathbb{R}^n$) as subsets of the ambient space but they can have different velocity vectors at different points. For example, you can switch $t$ with $2t-1$ over $[0,1]$ and you'll get a parametrization that is twice faster because of the chain rule.



                    In general, assuming that our curve is at least twice continuously differentiable, when we want to compute curvature or torsion, it's easier to deal with curves having the constant speed $1$. Think about acceleration which is related to curvature, for example. Physically, we know that a change in velocity exerts a force on us by Newton's second law of motion $vec{F}=mvec{a}$. But a change in velocity can be caused by a change in its magnitude or a change in its direction. In geometry, we're interested mostly in the later kind of change which depends on the shape of our path (curve) rather than the speed we're traveling at.



                    So, we want to have $forall t:| alpha'(t) | = 1$. It can be shown that for any regular curve $(|alpha'(t)|neq 0)$ that is continuously differentiable, such a parametrization exists: a parametrization that gives the same curve as the image of the function $alpha: [0,1] to mathbb{R}^3$ while it has the property that $forall t: | alpha'(t) | = 1$. This parametrization is sometimes called the standard parametrization and it's defined by reparametrization of the curve by its arc-length.



                    Note that the arc-length of a curve from its starting point up to $t$ is defined as:



                    $$s(t) = int_0^t | alpha'(u)| du$$



                    Because $| alpha'(u)|>0$ due to the regularity of our curve, $s(t)$ is a strictly increasing function. So, $s(t)$ has an inverse function. Let's call the inverse $t(s)$. Now define $beta(s)=alpha(t(s))$. Now observe that we have $|beta'(s)|=1$ by the chain rule. This is our desired parametrization.







                    share|cite|improve this answer














                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer








                    edited Jan 19 at 2:40

























                    answered Jan 19 at 2:19









                    stressed outstressed out

                    6,0491838




                    6,0491838























                        1












                        $begingroup$

                        The phrases "conversely" and "i.e." are important. The converse of $Pto Q$ is $Qto P$. And "$P_1$ i.e. $P_2$" means that $P_1$ and $P_2$ mean the same thing. Now, the paragraph takes the following form:




                        If $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point, then $Q$. Conversely, if $Q$ then $P$; i.e., $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point.




                        This means that we are to take "$t$ is already the arc length measured from some point" to be the same statement as $P$. And $P$ is the statement that $s=t-t_0$.



                        In the following paragraph, "curves parametrized by arc length" means curves that satisfy either of the equivalent conditions in the preceding paragraph. Explicitly, a curve is parametrized by arc length if $|alpha'(t)|equiv1$, or equivalently if $s=t-t_0$.






                        share|cite|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$


















                          1












                          $begingroup$

                          The phrases "conversely" and "i.e." are important. The converse of $Pto Q$ is $Qto P$. And "$P_1$ i.e. $P_2$" means that $P_1$ and $P_2$ mean the same thing. Now, the paragraph takes the following form:




                          If $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point, then $Q$. Conversely, if $Q$ then $P$; i.e., $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point.




                          This means that we are to take "$t$ is already the arc length measured from some point" to be the same statement as $P$. And $P$ is the statement that $s=t-t_0$.



                          In the following paragraph, "curves parametrized by arc length" means curves that satisfy either of the equivalent conditions in the preceding paragraph. Explicitly, a curve is parametrized by arc length if $|alpha'(t)|equiv1$, or equivalently if $s=t-t_0$.






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$
















                            1












                            1








                            1





                            $begingroup$

                            The phrases "conversely" and "i.e." are important. The converse of $Pto Q$ is $Qto P$. And "$P_1$ i.e. $P_2$" means that $P_1$ and $P_2$ mean the same thing. Now, the paragraph takes the following form:




                            If $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point, then $Q$. Conversely, if $Q$ then $P$; i.e., $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point.




                            This means that we are to take "$t$ is already the arc length measured from some point" to be the same statement as $P$. And $P$ is the statement that $s=t-t_0$.



                            In the following paragraph, "curves parametrized by arc length" means curves that satisfy either of the equivalent conditions in the preceding paragraph. Explicitly, a curve is parametrized by arc length if $|alpha'(t)|equiv1$, or equivalently if $s=t-t_0$.






                            share|cite|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            The phrases "conversely" and "i.e." are important. The converse of $Pto Q$ is $Qto P$. And "$P_1$ i.e. $P_2$" means that $P_1$ and $P_2$ mean the same thing. Now, the paragraph takes the following form:




                            If $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point, then $Q$. Conversely, if $Q$ then $P$; i.e., $t$ is already the arc length measured from some point.




                            This means that we are to take "$t$ is already the arc length measured from some point" to be the same statement as $P$. And $P$ is the statement that $s=t-t_0$.



                            In the following paragraph, "curves parametrized by arc length" means curves that satisfy either of the equivalent conditions in the preceding paragraph. Explicitly, a curve is parametrized by arc length if $|alpha'(t)|equiv1$, or equivalently if $s=t-t_0$.







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered Jan 19 at 2:12









                            Chris CulterChris Culter

                            21.4k43887




                            21.4k43887























                                1












                                $begingroup$

                                I will attempt to give an intuitive explanation instead of an analytical one: Parameterizing a curve essentially means identifying the position along the curve for a given value of a parameter - that is, relating the curve (in physical space) with a copy of the real line (the parameter space). The parameter can have various physical interpretations and units.



                                For example, when one drives along a road, possible options to identify the position can be:




                                1. where one is after driving for 20 minutes;

                                2. where one is after driving for 20 kilometers.


                                In the first case, the parameter is the time since starting, measured through standard methods - but different drivers can be in different places after driving for the exact same amount of time.



                                In the second case the parameter is the distance driven, or the arclength of the road from the starting point until that position. That is usually identified by markers along the road, and no matter who drives, 20 km from the start point is going to be the same place.



                                The first approach emphasizes the parameter, outside the curve (hence extrinsic), the second emphasizes the curve (hence intrinsic).



                                The arclength parameterization is essentially a way of identifying the position after moving a certain distance along the curve from a fixed starting point.






                                share|cite|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$


















                                  1












                                  $begingroup$

                                  I will attempt to give an intuitive explanation instead of an analytical one: Parameterizing a curve essentially means identifying the position along the curve for a given value of a parameter - that is, relating the curve (in physical space) with a copy of the real line (the parameter space). The parameter can have various physical interpretations and units.



                                  For example, when one drives along a road, possible options to identify the position can be:




                                  1. where one is after driving for 20 minutes;

                                  2. where one is after driving for 20 kilometers.


                                  In the first case, the parameter is the time since starting, measured through standard methods - but different drivers can be in different places after driving for the exact same amount of time.



                                  In the second case the parameter is the distance driven, or the arclength of the road from the starting point until that position. That is usually identified by markers along the road, and no matter who drives, 20 km from the start point is going to be the same place.



                                  The first approach emphasizes the parameter, outside the curve (hence extrinsic), the second emphasizes the curve (hence intrinsic).



                                  The arclength parameterization is essentially a way of identifying the position after moving a certain distance along the curve from a fixed starting point.






                                  share|cite|improve this answer









                                  $endgroup$
















                                    1












                                    1








                                    1





                                    $begingroup$

                                    I will attempt to give an intuitive explanation instead of an analytical one: Parameterizing a curve essentially means identifying the position along the curve for a given value of a parameter - that is, relating the curve (in physical space) with a copy of the real line (the parameter space). The parameter can have various physical interpretations and units.



                                    For example, when one drives along a road, possible options to identify the position can be:




                                    1. where one is after driving for 20 minutes;

                                    2. where one is after driving for 20 kilometers.


                                    In the first case, the parameter is the time since starting, measured through standard methods - but different drivers can be in different places after driving for the exact same amount of time.



                                    In the second case the parameter is the distance driven, or the arclength of the road from the starting point until that position. That is usually identified by markers along the road, and no matter who drives, 20 km from the start point is going to be the same place.



                                    The first approach emphasizes the parameter, outside the curve (hence extrinsic), the second emphasizes the curve (hence intrinsic).



                                    The arclength parameterization is essentially a way of identifying the position after moving a certain distance along the curve from a fixed starting point.






                                    share|cite|improve this answer









                                    $endgroup$



                                    I will attempt to give an intuitive explanation instead of an analytical one: Parameterizing a curve essentially means identifying the position along the curve for a given value of a parameter - that is, relating the curve (in physical space) with a copy of the real line (the parameter space). The parameter can have various physical interpretations and units.



                                    For example, when one drives along a road, possible options to identify the position can be:




                                    1. where one is after driving for 20 minutes;

                                    2. where one is after driving for 20 kilometers.


                                    In the first case, the parameter is the time since starting, measured through standard methods - but different drivers can be in different places after driving for the exact same amount of time.



                                    In the second case the parameter is the distance driven, or the arclength of the road from the starting point until that position. That is usually identified by markers along the road, and no matter who drives, 20 km from the start point is going to be the same place.



                                    The first approach emphasizes the parameter, outside the curve (hence extrinsic), the second emphasizes the curve (hence intrinsic).



                                    The arclength parameterization is essentially a way of identifying the position after moving a certain distance along the curve from a fixed starting point.







                                    share|cite|improve this answer












                                    share|cite|improve this answer



                                    share|cite|improve this answer










                                    answered Jan 19 at 2:36









                                    Catalin ZaraCatalin Zara

                                    3,737514




                                    3,737514






























                                        draft saved

                                        draft discarded




















































                                        Thanks for contributing an answer to Mathematics Stack Exchange!


                                        • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                        But avoid



                                        • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                        • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                        Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


                                        To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                        draft saved


                                        draft discarded














                                        StackExchange.ready(
                                        function () {
                                        StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3078942%2fwhat-does-do-carmo-mean-here-and-also-what-is-a-curve-parametrized-by-arc-length%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                                        }
                                        );

                                        Post as a guest















                                        Required, but never shown





















































                                        Required, but never shown














                                        Required, but never shown












                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Required, but never shown

































                                        Required, but never shown














                                        Required, but never shown












                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Required, but never shown







                                        Popular posts from this blog

                                        MongoDB - Not Authorized To Execute Command

                                        How to fix TextFormField cause rebuild widget in Flutter

                                        in spring boot 2.1 many test slices are not allowed anymore due to multiple @BootstrapWith