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Are the arc lengths of the coils - i.e. the parts $0-2\pi$, $2\pi-4\pi$, etc. - in arithmetic progression?

Narasimham
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1 Answers1

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Given the formula for an Archimedean spiral $r=a+b\theta$, the arc length of turn $n$ is $$\int_{(n-1)\pi}^{n\pi} \sqrt {\left(\frac {dr}{d\theta}\right)^2+ r^2 }d\theta \\=\int_{(n-1)\pi}^{n\pi}\sqrt {b^2+(a+b \theta)^2}d\theta \\=\int_{(n-1)\pi-\frac ab}^{n\pi-\frac ab}\sqrt{b^2+b^2\phi^2} d\phi \\=b\int_{(n-1)\pi-\frac ab}^{n\pi-\frac ab}\sqrt{1+\phi^2} d\phi \\=\left.\frac b2\left(\phi\sqrt{1+\phi^2}+\sinh^{-1}\phi\right)\right |_{(n-1)\pi-\frac ab}^{n\pi-\frac ab}$$ which Alpha shows is not linear.

Ross Millikan
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