radius of curvature

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. the absolute value of the reciprocal of the curvature at a point on a curve.

---

radius of curvature British  

noun

1. the absolute value of the reciprocal of the curvature of a curve at a given point; the radius of a circle the curvature of which is equal to that of the given curve at that point See also centre of curvature

---

Etymology

Origin of radius of curvature

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Both wedging and interleaving can be quantified in units of radius of curvature, so are ideal for characterizing curved epithelia.

From Nature • Sep. 9, 2018

The smaller the radius of curvature, the smaller the focal length and, thus, the more powerful the mirror.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

A small telescope has a concave mirror with a 2.00 m radius of curvature for its objective.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

What is the radius of curvature of the path of a 10 MeV proton in this field?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

In other words, the motion is one of translation, and the radius of curvature at P is infinite.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 by Various