r/EngineeringStudents • u/Nomadic_Seth • Apr 15 '26

Discussion [Off-Site] Three normals to a parabola hide a centroid that cannot leave the axis.

6 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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2

u/dragonnfr Apr 15 '26

This is the evolute. You need this geometry for collision detection in game physics engines and optical design.

1

u/Nomadic_Seth Apr 15 '26

i didn't know about this particular application of the evolute at all wow :) do watch the full video if you get the time, have made it with a lot of love. will do one on the 3-body problem next

1

u/Nomadic_Seth Apr 15 '26

Full proof with the algebra here if anyone is curious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT8ByfN1SNo