Mean Curvature


mean curvature

[¦mēn ′kər·və·chər] (mathematics) Half the sum of the principal curvatures at a point on a surface.

Mean Curvature

 

The mean curvature of a surface at a given point P on the surface is equal to the average of the principal curvatures of the surface at the point (seeDIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY). If E, F, and G are the coefficients of the first fundamental quadratic form of the surface and L, M, and N are the coefficients of the surface’s second fundamental quadratic form, then the mean curvature H can be computed from the formula

If the mean curvature is equal to zero at every point of the surface, then the surface is known as a minimal surface.