Radial Curve

Description

Let P be a point on a curve. Let C be the center of osculating circle at P. Now, the locus of the vector C-P is the radial of the curve C.

The radial curve is very much related to curvature of a curve, in that it gives a visual map of a curve's curvature change.

See also: evolute, Curvature.

Curve relations by radial

Base Curve Radial
deltoid trifolium
epicycloid rose
astroid quadrifolium
equiangular spiral equiangular spiral
cycloid Kampyle of Eudoxus
tractrix Kappa curve

Related Web Sites

See: Websites on Plane Curves, Plane Curves Books .

Robert Yates: Curves and Their Properties .