For an oriented surface S in R3, define the Gauss map, the second fundamental form and the normal curvature in the direction w∈TpS at a point p∈S.
Let k~1,…,k~m be normal curvatures at p in the directions v1,…,vm, such that the angle between vi and vi+1 is π/m for each i=1,…,m−1(m⩾2). Show that
k~1+…+k~m=mH
where H is the mean curvature of S at p.
What is a minimal surface? Show that if S is a minimal surface, then its Gauss mapN at each point p∈S satisfies
⟨dNp(w1),dNp(w2)⟩=μ(p)⟨w1,w2⟩, for all w1,w2∈TpS,
where μ(p)∈R depends only on p. Conversely, if the identity (∗) holds at each point in S, must S be minimal? Justify your answer.