radius of curvature

American  

noun

Mathematics.

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

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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

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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

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

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Use the law of reflection to prove that the focal length of a mirror is half its radius of curvature.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Where is the filament of the light in relation to the focal point or radius of curvature of each mirror?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The desired radius of curvature is easily attained by cutting out templates from sheet zinc and using them to gauge the turning.

From On Laboratory Arts by Threlfall, Richard