differential geometry

(noun)

the study of geometry using differential calculus

Related Terms

  • Euclidean
  • differentiable
  • momentum
  • gross domestic product
  • slope

Examples of differential geometry in the following topics:

  • Shape

    • Simple shapes can be described by basic geometry objects such as a set of two or more points, a line, a curve, a plane, a plane figure (e.g. square or circle), or a solid figure (e.g. cube or sphere).
    • Some, such as plant structures and coastlines, may be so arbitrary as to defy traditional mathematical description – in which case they may be analyzed by differential geometry, or as fractals.
    • In geometry, two subsets of a Euclidean space have the same shape if one can be transformed to the other by a combination of translations, rotations (together also called rigid transformations), and uniform scalings.
  • Differentiation and Rates of Change in the Natural and Social Sciences

    • Differentiation, in essence calculating the rate of change, is important in all quantitative sciences.
    • Given a function $y=f(x)$, differentiation is a method for computing the rate at which a dependent output $y$ changes with respect to the change in the independent input $x$.
    • Equations involving derivatives are called differential equations and are fundamental in describing natural phenomena.
    • Derivatives and their generalizations appear in many fields of mathematics, such as complex analysis, functional analysis, differential geometry, measure theory and abstract algebra.
    • Give examples of differentiation, or rates of change, being used in a variety of academic disciplines
  • Partial Derivatives

    • Partial derivatives are used in vector calculus and differential geometry.
    • Partial differentiation is the act of choosing one of these lines and finding its slope.
  • Tangent Planes and Linear Approximations

    • The concept of a tangent is one of the most fundamental notions in differential geometry and has been extensively generalized.
    • For a surface given by a differentiable multivariable function $z=f(x,y)$, the equation of the tangent plane at $(x_0,y_0,z_0)$ is given as:
  • Table of Geometries

    • The VSPER theory detremines molecular geometries (linear, trigonal, trigonal bipyramidal, tetrahedral, and octahedral).
    • Molecular geometries (linear, trigonal, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral) are determined by the VSEPR theory.
    • A table of geometries using the VSEPR theory can facilitate drawing and understanding molecules.
    • The table of molecular geometries can be found in the first figure.
    • Apply the VSEPR model to determine the geometry of a molecule that contains no lone pairs of electrons on the central atom.
  • Defining Kinematics

    • The study of kinematics is often referred to as the "geometry of motion."
    • To describe motion, kinematics studies the trajectories of points, lines and other geometric objects, as well as their differential properties (such as velocity and acceleration).
  • Complex numbers and constant coefficient differential equations

    • This is an example of a constant coefficient differential equation.
    • ($x$ is the zeroth derivative of $x$. ) The most general linear n-th order constant coefficient differential equation is
    • These constant coefficient differential equations have a very special property: they reduce to polynomials for exponential $x$.
    • The geometry of the Cartesian and polar representations is summarized in Figure 1.5.
  • Arc Length and Speed

    • The arc length can be found using geometry, but for the sake of this atom, we are going to use integration.
  • The Relativistic Universe

    • Four-dimensional Minkowski space-time is only one of many different possible space-times (geometries) which differ in their metric matrix.
    • The relation is specified by the Einstein field equations, a system of partial differential equations.
  • Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

    • In tetrahedral molecular geometry, a central atom is located at the center of four substituent atoms, which form the corners of a tetrahedron.
    • This geometry is widespread, particularly for complexes where the metal has d0 or d10 electron configuration.
    • The geometry is prevalent for transition metal complexes with d8 configuration.
    • In principle, square planar geometry can be achieved by flattening a tetrahedron.
    • Therefore, the crystal field splitting diagram for square planar geometry can be derived from the octahedral diagram.
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