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

Among the things to consider are the types of ions, the velocities they can be given before entering the magnetic field, and a reasonable value for the radius of curvature of the paths they follow.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

In that case, the conductor should be very smooth and have as large a radius of curvature as possible.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

But since we assume each mirror is small compared with its radius of curvature, we can use the thin lens equations for mirrors just as we did for lenses.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

At this point the moon's orbit about the sun has a shorter radius of curvature than the earth's.

From Other Worlds Their Nature, Possibilities and Habitability in the Light of the Latest Discoveries by Serviss, Garrett Putman