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logarithmic spiral (also known as equiangular spiral) 1638 [4] = Approximations of this are found in nature Fibonacci spiral: circular arcs connecting the opposite corners of squares in the Fibonacci tiling: approximation of the golden spiral golden spiral
Golden spirals are self-similar. The shape is infinitely repeated when magnified. In geometry, a golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral whose growth factor is φ, the golden ratio. [1] That is, a golden spiral gets wider (or further from its origin) by a factor of φ for every quarter turn it makes.
For example, when leaves alternate up a stem, one rotation of the spiral touches two leaves, so the pattern or ratio is 1/2. In hazel the ratio is 1/3; in apricot it is 2/5; in pear it is 3/8; in almond it is 5/13. [56] Animal behaviour can yield spirals; for example, acorn worms leave spiral fecal trails on the sea floor. [57]
The golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral that grows outward by a factor of the golden ratio for every 90 degrees of rotation (pitch angle about 17.03239 degrees). It can be approximated by a "Fibonacci spiral", made of a sequence of quarter circles with radii proportional to Fibonacci numbers.
Approximations of this are found in nature. Spirals which do not fit into this scheme of the first 5 examples: A Cornu spiral has two asymptotic points. The spiral of Theodorus is a polygon. The Fibonacci Spiral consists of a sequence of circle arcs. The involute of a circle looks like an Archimedean, but is not: see Involute#Examples.
Examples can be found in composite flowers and seed heads. The most famous example is the sunflower head. This phyllotactic pattern creates an optical effect of criss-crossing spirals. In the botanical literature, these designs are described by the number of counter-clockwise spirals and the number of clockwise spirals.
The representation of the Fermat spiral in polar coordinates (r, φ) is given by the equation = for φ ≥ 0. The parameter is a scaling factor affecting the size of the spiral but not its shape. The two choices of sign give the two branches of the spiral, which meet smoothly at the origin.
The chambered nautilus is often used as an example of the golden spiral. While nautiluses show logarithmic spirals, their ratios range from about 1.24 to 1.43, with an average ratio of about 1.33 to 1. The golden spiral's ratio is 1.618. This is visible when the cut nautilus is inspected. [13]