Torus Curves With Vanishing Curvature

Abstract

Let T be the standard torus of revolution in R^3 with radii b and 1, 0<b<1. Let αbe a (p,q) torus curve on T. We show that there are points of zero curvature on αfor only one value of the variable radius of T, b=p^2/(p^2+q^2). The curve αhas non-vanishing curvature for all other values of b. Moreover, for this value of b, there are exactly q points of zero curvature on α.

arXiv comment7 pages, 6 figures AMS-LaTeX with encapsulated postscript