hodograph

American  

[hod-uh-graf, -grahf] / ˈhɒd əˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

Mathematics, Mechanics.

1. the figure described by the extremity of a vector that has a fixed origin and a position vector equal to the velocity of a moving particle.

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hodograph British  

/ ˈhɒdəˌɡrɑːf, -ɡræf /

noun

1. a curve of which the radius vector represents the velocity of a moving particle

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Other Word Forms

• hodographic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hodograph

1840–50; < Greek hod ( ós ) way + -o- + -graph

Example Sentences

There is also the extremely ingenious invention of the hodograph.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8 "Haller, Albrecht" to "Harmonium" by Various

Every orbit must clearly have a hodograph, and, conversely, every hodograph a corresponding orbit; and, theoretically speaking, it is possible to deduce the one from the other, having given the other circumstances of the motion.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

This method is indeed indicated at § 37, but no diagram is given, and the properties of the hodograph are investigated by means of Cartesians.

From Lord Kelvin An account of his scientific life and work by Gray, Andrew

For applications of the hodograph to the solution of kinematical problems see Mechanics.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

Hence the elementary arc divided by the element of time is the rate of change of velocity of the moving-point, or in other words, the velocity in the hodograph is the acceleration in the orbit.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various