Description
Take the sign of supplied secondDerivative and reverse it when elevationPositiveUp is false.
Geomorphic geometry uses lengths, areas, volumes, and dimensionless shape ratios to summarize a feature. Grain axes, channel dimensions, and angular units need explicit definitions because similar field names can describe different measurements.
Take the sign of supplied secondDerivative and reverse it when elevationPositiveUp is false.
When to use this tool
Use Profile Curvature Sign Term when you need a geometric summary of a supplied landform or sediment measurement.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter secondDerivative, elevationPositiveUp. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read sign. Use the output convention below.
Take the sign of supplied secondDerivative and reverse it when elevationPositiveUp is false.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| secondDerivative | Second Derivative | Required. Finite number. |
| elevationPositiveUp | Elevation Positive Up | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| sign | Sign | Required. Safe integer. |
{
"input": {
"secondDerivative": 0.2,
"elevationPositiveUp": true
},
"output": {
"sign": 1
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The derivative's coordinate and orientation conventions are supplied; no profile fit, smoothing, physical curvature magnitude, or geomorphic classification is computed.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Inspect the measured feature and sampling method for the intended geometric definition. Use a spatial model or complete distribution when a single shape ratio or local term is insufficient.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Beach Profile Trapezoid Area Term
Return their width and width times the average endpoint height relative to referenceHeight as signedArea.
- Alluvial Fan Radial Slope Term
Divide apexElevation-toeElevation by that distance for gradient and take atan for angleRadians.