RES.18-007 | Fall 2011 | Undergraduate

Calculus Revisited: Multivariable Calculus

Part II: Vector Calculus

Lecture 2: Tangential & Normal Vectors

Video Description: Herb Gross explains how a vector is tangent to a curve at a point as a function of arc length. Likewise, he explains how a vector is normal to a curve as a function of the derivative of the tangent with regard to arc length and curvature. Prof. Gross presents an example tracking the velocity and acceleration of a particle moving along a curve.  Finally, he discusses similar issues and examples for 3-dimensional curves (binormal).

Instructor/speaker: Prof. Herbert Gross

Study Guide for Lecture 2: Tangential & Normal Vectors

  • Chalkboard Photos, Reading Assignments, and Exercises (PDF)
  • Solutions (PDF - 2.8MB)

To complete the reading assignments, see the Supplementary Notes in the Study Materials section.

Course Info

Instructor
As Taught In
Fall 2011
Learning Resource Types
Lecture Videos
Lecture Notes
Problem Sets with Solutions