2020

Content

2 Types Page 4

4
 Introduction
Tangent, Normal and Binormal Vector
There vectors play an important role when studying the motion of a, n object along a

spase curve. These vectors are unit tanjent vector, the principal normal vector and the
binormal vector. We have already defined the unit tangent vector . In this section, we
defined the other two vector

Let us start by reviewing the definition of the unit tangent vector.

Definition(Unit Tangeent Vector) Let C be a smooth curve with position

vector⃗⃗ (t). The principal normal vector or simpal normal vector, denoted ⃗ (t) is

⃗ (t) =
‖ ‖

Definition(Normal Vector) Let C be a smooth curve with position vector (t) .

The principal normal vector or simply the normal vector, denoted ⃗ (T) is defined to
be :

⃗ (T) =
‖ ‖

Definiction(Binormal vector) Let C be a smooth curve with position vector (t)

. The binormal vector, denoted ⃗ (t), is defined to be :

⃗ (t) = ⃗ (t) ⃗ (t)

Since both ⃗ (t) and ⃗ (t) are unit vectors and perpendicular, it follows that ⃗ (t) is also
a unit vector . It is perpendicular to both ⃗ (t) and ⃗ (t).
 Taypes
Tangent, normal and Binormal Vector

For a curve⃗⃗ (t)we have the following definitions

 The unit tangent vector of (t)

⃗ (t) =
| |

 The unit norml vector of ⃗ (t) is

⃗ =| |

 The binormal vector ⃗ (t) = ⃗ (t) ⃗ (t)

 The plane spanned by vector ⃗ (t) and ⃗ (t) and containing (t) is called the
osculating

The same plane is also spanned by (t) and (t).

 The plan spanned by vector ⃗ (t) and ⃗ (t) is called the normal plane

 Remark: ⃗ (t), ⃗ (t), ⃗ (t) are pairwise orthogonal unit vector.

Laws and their unit tangent,normal,and Binormal vector

⃗ (t) = 𝑟′ 𝑡
𝑇 ‖ 𝑟′ 𝑡 ‖

⃗ (t) = 𝑇′ 𝑡
𝑁
‖ 𝑇′ 𝑡 ‖

⃗ (t) = 𝑇
𝐵 ⃗ (t) ⃗ (t)
𝑁
 EXAMPLES
Example 1 Find the general formula for the tangent vector and unit tangen
vector to the curve given by

⃗ (t) = + 2 sin t + 2 cos t ⃗ .

Solution
(t) = 2t (t) + 2cos t _ 2 sin t ⃗

‖ ‖ √

=√

⃗ (t) =
√
(2t + 2cos t _ 2sin t ⃗ )

=√ +√ _ √
Example 2 find the unit normal vector for the vector valued function

r(t) = ti + j

solution

T(t) = √

′ ( ) ( )
(t) =

(1+ )

′
(t)(1+ ) =(1+ )(2j)_(i+2tj)4t = _4ti + 2j

N(t) = √

T(1) = I+ j
√ √

N(1) = i+ j
√ √
 Example3 find the normal and binormal vector
(t) = 〈 〉

Solution

)t) = 〈 〉

‖ ‖ =√ =√

⃗ (t) = 〈 〉
√ √ √

(t) = 〈 〉
√ √

‖ ‖=√ =√

⃗⃗ (t) = √ 〈 〉
√ √

⃗ (t) = ⃗ (t) ⃗ (t)

⃗
=| |
√ √ √ √

= sint ⃗ +
√ √ √

= + ⃗
√ √ √