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Two types of helix shown in comparison. This shows the two chiralities of helices. One is left-handed and
the other is right-handed. Each row compares the two helices from a different perspective. The chirality is a
property of the object, not of the perspective (view-angle)
Most hardware screw threads are right-handed helices. The alpha helix in biology as well as
the A and B forms of DNA are also right-handed helices. The Z form of DNA is left-handed.
The pitch of a helix is the height of one complete helix turn, measured parallel to the axis of the
helix.
A double helix consists of two (typically congruent) helices with the same axis, differing by a
translation along the axis.[3]
A conic helix may be defined as a spiral on a conic surface, with the distance to the apex an
exponential function of the angle indicating direction from the axis. An example is
the Corkscrew roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park.
A circular helix, (i.e. one with constant radius) has constant band curvature and constant torsion.
A curve is called a general helix or cylindrical helix[4] if its tangent makes a constant angle with a
fixed line in space. A curve is a general helix if and only if the ratio of curvature to torsion is
constant.[5]
A curve is called a slant helix if its principal normal makes a constant angle with a fixed line in
space.[6] It can be constructed by applying a transformation to the moving frame of a general helix.[7]
Some curves found in nature consist of multiple helices of different handedness joined together by
transitions known as tendril perversions.
Mathematical description[edit]
A helix composed of sinusoidal x and ycomponents
As the parameter t increases, the point (x(t),y(t),z(t)) traces a right-handed helix of pitch
2π (or slope 1) and radius 1 about the z-axis, in a right-handed coordinate system.
In cylindrical coordinates (r, θ, h), the same helix is parametrised by:
A circular helix of radius a and slope b/a (or pitch 2πb) is described by the
following parametrisation:
Examples[edit]
In music, pitch space is often modeled with helices or
double helices, most often extending out of a circle such as
the circle of fifths, so as to represent octave equivalency.