Helix vs Spiral: What Are The Differences Between Them?

If you dream of having a degree in engineering, mathematical sciences, or even biology or medicine, you have seen or studied the terms helix or spiral at some point in your life as a student. And if not, keep on reading and we will tell you the difference between the two.

Basically, the definition of a Helix is a three-dimensional geometric curve, and the definition of a Spiral is a two-dimensional one. Both words define a progressive circular path. You will discover that they have some differences between the two.

Even though they are similar as described there are some differences, keep reading to find out more about these two words and the differences. In the end, you will find out that there are really exciting concepts surrounding the words helix and spiral.

Differences Between Helix and Spiral

When a Helix is described it’s like this “…a line called the axis from which every point on the curve is at equal distance.” And the Spiral as “…a curve that originates from some point(origin) and moves away from it in a uniform fashion.”

Now, if you read carefully you might say it is the same definition, but a Helix has the same radium and the Spiral has a reducing or expanding radius and is progressive.

There are sources that explain that Helix is associated with mathematics and spiral to geometry.

Spirals in nature

If you pay close attention to nature you will find that there are patterns, beautiful ones and it’s this way for a reason. For example, trees, sunflowers have spirals and that’s because they need to grow but in a safe way and in spiral shape they are stronger. Take a hurricane as an example, the shape is spiral and closer to the center it’s stronger. Snails, spider webs, seed arrangements, protein structures, DNA… all contain the spiral.

Another example are tornados, a local scale phenomenon that occurs during high intensity storms. Spiral galaxies have arms that form a spiral pattern around a central nucleus.

There are different types of spirals:

• Archimedes spiral
• Logarithmic spiral
• Dudero spiral
• Hyperbolic spiral
• Fermat spiral

“According to mythology J.E. Cirlot the spiral is an image of the evolution of the universe. It also represents the orbit of the moon as well as the earth’s rotation. In Egyptian hieroglyphs, the spiral symbolizes cosmic forms in motion.”

Synonyms of “Spiral”

Here are some synonyms of the word Spiral:

• Helical
• Screwlike
• Corkscrew
• Coiling

Some examples of sentences with the word Spiral might help to understand better the use of this word.

1. There is a beautiful spiral staircase.
2. “As for the layers of foam, some of them stop at the shores; others widen by the impulse of the current, and curve forming semicircles, spirals, and graceful undulations.”
3. The smoke of cigarettes makes a spiral.
4. “Galaxies, according to Hubble’s classification, can be divided into elliptical, spiral and irregular galaxies.”
5. “Four types of galaxies are distinguished according to their shape: spiral, elliptical, lenticular and irregular.”
6. He had entered a depressive spiral of self-destruction.
7. According to the artist, the sunflower signified divine geometry since it grows in a logarithmic spiral progression.
8. Access to the main floor is via a spiral staircase with metal steps.

Antonyms of “Spiral”

• Lineal
• Linear
• Right
• Straight

Examples with some of the antonyms for the words for spiral:

1. “The screw transforms the circular motion into a linear motion.”
2. “In prism spectroscopes, light scattering is not linear.”
3. “Any motion with constant linear velocity is also called uniform.”
4. The artist has a linear way of drawing.
5. The supermarket is straight ahead.
6. You need to sit up straight.
7. It is impossible to see a crab walking straight.

Helix in biology

We as humans and part of nature also have patterns, and the main one is our essence which is a double helix, the DNA.

Our DNA is described as a double string twisted around each other and connected by hydrogen. This is our genetic language; geometry is embedded in our DNA.

Cycles are everything in the universe. It reminds us of the cycle of life; it has no beginning and no end.

Look at an X-Ray of the lungs and look at the branches of a tree without leaves. Do you see it?

Or look at the nervous system, all the veins, and connections in an iodine contrast and look at the lighting when a storm is coming—even the shape inside a honeycomb and those of an atom as seen through a super microscope.

There are different types of Helix:

• Cylindrical Helix
• Conical Helix
• Spherical Helix

Synonyms of Helix

Some synonyms for the word Helix are coiling, spiral, spiraling, volute, voluted, whorled, turbinate, helix, torsion, planar and null.

Here are some examples with the synonyms of the word Helix:

1. She coiled her hair before it looked too messy.
2. She was so nervous that she could feel the tension coiling in her stomach.
3. When the window opened because of the strong wind. He could see the stairs coiling up to the next floor.
4. The torsion of a wire is used as a means of the evaluation of electrical force.

Antonyms of Helix

• Straight
• Uncurling
• Unscrew
• Continue
• Uncurl
• Unswirl

Examples of sentences with some of the antonyms words for helix:

1.  Please unscrew the lid of the mayonnaise so we can have it on our hot dogs.
2.  The painting may be easy to unscrew from the wall.
3. “In his personal relationship to the prophet, he showed the deepest veneration and most unswerving devotion.”
4. Her loyalty to Her students was unswerving.

It has been fascinating to uncover the wonderful connections and utilities of a helix or spiral. This figure is very important in almost all aspects of life, from nature itself, the universe, the very genetic basis of human beings, even video games.

It is even incredible how every figure that exists; if you detail them very well, you will find a spiral. And the one that represents nature is the Logarithmic Spiral.

We have the opportunity to really see the beauty in everything that surrounds us, beginning with our own existence and all the synchronicities there are in our life; everything is there for a reason. It is balanced even though sometimes it looks like chaos; well, think again, is it chaos? Or is just everything falling in place as it should for the better outcome possible? And if you change the course of events to avoid certain situations, it will only take more time for everything to take its course again.

Conclusion

Some other reflections or examinations to take into account to appreciation when we talk about helixes or spirals is that these terms are the manifestation of perfection in every level of life that exists on this planet and the universe; in fact, I dare to say that in the spiritual plane, call it metaphysical or any other name you want to refer to it, the very same elements of synchronization and delicacy are also conjugated, the exact same perfect measures that give shape to so much beauty. I could say that, as well as our human body, which is divided energetically into 7 points of energy, the whole structure of the universe is distributed the same way.

Enjoy the view you have now, enjoy the simplicity and complexity of nature, enjoy the fact that everything is balanced. I hope these words make it through, and you end up being more aware of life and its beauty than only getting the correct definition of spiral and helix; you can see now that those concepts are magical and perfect.