applied math, arc length, change of parameter

galactus · #1 Jan 27, 2007, 12:04 PM

Here's a arc length problem maybe you'd like to tackle:

"Copper tubing with an outside diameter of 1/2 inches is to be wrapped in a circular helix around a cylinder core that has a diameter of 12 inches. What length of tubing will make one complete turn around the cylinder in a distance of 20 inches measured along the axis of the cylinder?".

Here's a haphazard diagram. Best I could do with Paint.

admin · Jan 30, 2007, 10:48 PM

I don't know how to derive the equation for the helix length, but accepting the arc length as $L = t sqrt{r^2 + c^2}$ as mentioned by galactus, where r is the radius of the helix, 2πc is the vertical distance between the tubing loops, and t is the number of times the tubing is looped around the helix as measured in radii, I calculate the length needed as follows.

In this case c = 10/π and t = 2π.
I would say that r is fully 6.5. The tube length needed will be longer because the surface of the tube that is closest to the helix is much more likely to crumple than the outside surface is likely to stretch. You should also take into account that the tube, being crumpled, is not going to lie exactly flat. The stretch that the tube does take on will be offset by this inability to lie flat.

So the length needed would be $L = 2\pi sqrt{6.5^2 + (\frac{10}{\pi})^2} = 45.47$ .

Capuchin · Jan 30, 2007, 11:09 PM

I think we're talking about a tube made of a perfect material that doesnt suffer from those admin

you big pedant

admin · Jan 31, 2007, 12:04 AM

The problem stated "copper" not "perfect material". :P

Capuchin · Jan 31, 2007, 12:07 AM

asterisk_man · Jan 31, 2007, 06:39 AM

This is my technique:

Imagine you unroll the helix against the wall. The helix becomes the line L in the following diagram:

Code:

     /|
    / |
  L/  |
  /   | H
 /    |
/     |
-------
    C

C is the circumference of the helix and H is the pitch (vertical distance traveled during one revolution of the helix).
H is obviously 20"
C is $2\pi r$
and r is...debatable it seems

I'll go with 6.25 so that it's obvious that my answer matches the original posted by galactus.
So now $L=\sqrt{C^2 + H^2}=\sqrt{\left(2\pi r\right)^2 + H^2}\approx 44.07$

Same answer, no calculus

galactus · Jan 31, 2007, 06:49 AM

r is the distance from the center of the cylinder to the center of the copper tubing.

The cylinder is 12" in diameter, therefore, the radius is 6 inches. The copper tubing is 1/2 inch in diameter, therefore, the radius is 1/4 inches. 6+1/4=6.25 from center of cylinder to center of tubing.

asterisk_man · Jan 31, 2007, 07:11 AM

but, like admin said, does the inner surface of the tube compress, or the outer surface stretch, or both?

Technically, a helix does not have any width. I think your real question is, what is the length of the helix that is defined by the center of the tube. Clearly the outside of the tube is longer than the inside of the tube.



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