Another question

sigma

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Feb 19, 2006
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Let r be a smooth curve that is at least twice differentiable, and T(t) be the unit tangent vector to r(t) at t. Show that T'(t) dot T(t) = 0

Don't even know where to begin.
 
T' is perpendicular to T.

Show \(\displaystyle \L\\T(t)\cdot{T'(t)}=0\)

\(\displaystyle \L\\\frac{d}{dt}[T(t)\cdot{T'(t)}]=T(t)\cdot{\frac{dT}{dt}}+\frac{dT}{dt}\cdot{T(t)}\)

\(\displaystyle \L\\\frac{d}{dt}[||T(t)||^{2}]=2T(t)\cdot{\frac{dT}{dt}}\)

But, \(\displaystyle \L\\||T(t)||^{2}\) is a constant, so the derivative is 0.

Therefore, hence, and thus:

\(\displaystyle \L\\2T(t)\cdot{\frac{dT}{dt}}=0\)
 
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