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I am slightly confused by the following curve $\gamma(t) = (e^t,0,0)$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$. Its curvature, defined as $$ \kappa(t) = \frac{\|\dot \gamma(t) \times \ddot \gamma(t)\|}{\|\dot \gamma(t)\|^3} $$ vanishes everywhere, yet if I think about the curve geometrically it does have curvature. What am I missing ? Do I need a unit-speed parametrization to obtain the correct result?

Many thanks for your help!

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    $\begingroup$ Your curve is contained in a straight line, the $x$-axis. $\endgroup$ – Sigur Jan 26 '13 at 17:45
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    $\begingroup$ @harlekin You're probably visualizing the curve $(t,e^t,0)$. $\endgroup$ – Git Gud Jan 26 '13 at 17:46
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    $\begingroup$ @Sigur, the positive portion of the $x$-axis $\endgroup$ – Rustyn Jan 26 '13 at 17:50
  • $\begingroup$ @GitGud yes, I was - I realized this the moment you pointed it out, many thanks! $\endgroup$ – harlekin Jan 26 '13 at 23:41
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Your curve is exactly the interval: $(0,\infty)$ which is essentially a ray and has no curvature. Straight rays/lines have zero curvature.

Here is a cool link on curvature.

(I know you know what curvature is, I just thought the link was amusing/helpful.)

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