What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Gradient vs Curvature - What's the difference?

gradient | curvature |

As nouns the difference between gradient and curvature

is that gradient is a slope or incline while curvature is the shape of something curved.

As an adjective gradient

is moving by steps; walking.

gradient

English

Noun

(en noun) (slope) (wikipedia gradient)
  • A slope or incline.
  • A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
  • (calculus) Of a function y'' = ''f''(''x'') or the graph of such a function, the rate of change of ''y'' with respect to ''x''
    that is, the amount by which ''y'' changes for a certain (often unit) change in ''x
    equivalently, the inclination to the X axis of the tangent to the curve of the graph.
  • (science) The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
  • (analysis) A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field ?: ∇φ

    • Synonyms

    * (slope) hill, incline, ramp, slope * (in calculus) slope (of a line )

    Derived terms

    * gradient wind * ruling gradient * supergradient * temperature gradient

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Moving by steps; walking.
    • gradient automata
    (Wilkins)
  • Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
    • the gradient line of a railroad
  • Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.

    • Anagrams

    * * * * ----

    curvature

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The shape of something curved.
  • (mathematics) The extent to which a subspace is curved within a metric space.
  • The extent to which a Riemannian manifold is intrinsically curved.