helix

mathematics

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June 29, 2026

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A helix is a mathematical curve that spirals around an axis, resembling the thread of a screw. It is a fundamental concept in differential geometry, a branch of mathematics that studies curves, surfaces, and manifolds using calculus.123

Key characteristics of a helix include:
* Constant Curvature: Unlike straight lines or circles, a helix has a constant curvature.3
* Helix Angle: This is the consistent angle between the tangent to the helix and the generator of the cylinder it lies upon.4

Helices are not only theoretical constructs but also appear in real-world phenomena, such as the path of stars through space.1

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Linus Pauling
Elucidation of molecular structures
…configuration, later called the alpha helix. The most significant aspect of Pauling’s structure was its determination of the number of amino acids per turn of the helix. During this same period he became interested in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and early in 1953 he and protein crystallographer Robert Corey published their…
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…configuration, later called the alpha helix. The most significant aspect of Pauling’s structure was its determination of the number of amino acids per turn of the helix. During this same period he became interested in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and early in 1953 he and protein crystallographer Robert Corey published their…
Read More

Pappus of Alexandria
…properties of several varieties of spirals and other curved lines and demonstrates how they can be used to solve another classical problem, the division of an angle into an arbitrary number of equal parts. Book 5, in the course of a treatment of polygons and polyhedra, describes Archimedes’ discovery of…
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…properties of several varieties of spirals and other curved lines and demonstrates how they can be used to solve another classical problem, the division of an angle into an arbitrary number of equal parts. Book 5, in the course of a treatment of polygons and polyhedra, describes Archimedes’ discovery of…
Read More