(PDF) Simple Model for the Mechanics of Spider Webs
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Added on 2021-04-22
(PDF) Simple Model for the Mechanics of Spider Webs
Added on 2021-04-22
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Running head: SYMMETRIES OF A SPIDER WEB1Mathematical Exploration on the Symmetries of a Spider WebNameInstitution Affiliation
MATHEMATICAL EXPLORATION ON THE SYMMETRIES OF A SPIDER WEB2Mathematical Exploration on the Symmetries of a Spider WebIntroduction The ability of spiders to spin their webs with great precision, strength, and weaving of the threats at the equidistant interval is an intriguing occurrence that frequently goes unnoticed. To common observers, spiders construct the webs for the sake of catching their preys. However, mathematicians have dug deeper to investigate the shape and patterns of construction and make various conclusions. According to evolution theory, organisms develop mechanisms to enable them to survive various conditions and establish feeding habits that ensure the continuation of generations (Maciejewski, 201). Some organisms have simple methods of blending in the environment to ease hunting while others rely on wit and industriousness to establish traps that ease hunting process. One of such predators is a spider. According to Alicia (2015), spiders can correctly determine the distance between two objects that can support the web before they start the construction process. Due to such findings, it is essential to investigate the mathematical concept of the construction process of a spider web.RationaleThrough independent thinking and personal interest in the application of symmetry in real life, I observed various shapes and counted the numbers of symmetrical shapes. In the process, I encountered spider webs that were more intriguing and challenging. For this reason, I started investigating how various disciplines explain the construction process of the webs, their strength,and how spiders manage to retain their shapes and symmetry throughout the construction process. Based on the shapes of spider webs such as the existence of radii, spiral shapes of the loop, I knew that there must be mathematical ideas behind the building of spider web.Aim of Exploration
MATHEMATICAL EXPLORATION ON THE SYMMETRIES OF A SPIDER WEB3Primarily, this project aims to understand the mathematical interpretation and concept behind the building of spider web. I was sure that the nature of spider webs could not be random due to their uniformity, dependence on the nature of the environment, and its symmetry. Throughreading various publications and mathematical journals and books, it would be possible to discover the ideas behind spider web building. Analysis of the Spider Web-Building BehaviorAlthough to spiders, the act of building a web is an inbuilt trait that does not require learning, these organisms vary their behavior to facilitate construction of an optimal structure in different environmental conditions. I have identified that the nature of spider webs differs depending on their location and the size of the organism (Nature's Math, 2008). Big spiders have stronger and larger webs than the smaller ones. They also construct the webs in isolated places with big insects (Nogueira & Ades, 2012). It is evident the environmental conditions and adaptability of the creatures determine the nature of the web. Spiders erect the two-dimensional trap vertically to easily trap flying insects by the use of vertical support while considering environmental interferences such as wind and rain (Krink & Vollrath, 1997). I identified that spiders are intelligent and positioning of the web is not random but a strategic move that facilitates durability of the trap and increases the chance of catching prey. In essence, mathematicians have established that "the spider web is composed of numerousradii, a logarithmic spiral, and the arithmetic spiral" (Alicia, 2015). The logarithmic spiral equation is given by the polar equation r = ae^{bθ} while the arithmetic spiral equation is given by the polar equation r = a + bθ (Alicia, 2015). The first equation becomes:
MATHEMATICAL EXPLORATION ON THE SYMMETRIES OF A SPIDER WEB4Logarithmic spiral is r = aeθcotb where ‘r' represents the radius of each spiral turn, ‘a' and ‘b' are constants depending on a given spiral loop, ‘e' is the base of natural logarithm, and θis the rotational angle (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). Mathematical Perspective of Web-BuildingTo understand the mathematical perspective of web-building process, it is important to understand the stages of construction in details. The process passes through four stages namely "first radii, other radii and frame, first spiral loop, and following spiral loops" (Krink & Vollrath,1997). Spiders are free to choose its location for placing the hub which in turn determines the number of radii to use (Merciejewki, 2010). However, that location will dictate the frame, shape, and size of the hub (Chandler, 2012a). Overall, there is a close association between the environmental factors, location, frame, and radii of the web (Herberstein, 2000). Mathematicianshave identified that the construction process obeys some mathematical concepts and rules.Stage oneThe first stage of web building is the construction of the initial radii whose end-point connections determines the web's frame. The mathematical concepts that govern the process are the Equal Spacing Rule and the Length-Cross Rule. Equal spacing rule. After the spider chooses the location, it decides on the vertical structures to use as support. The equal spacing rule will ensure that all the radii are equally-spaced which helps in determining the number of radii the web and their orientation (Chandler, 2012b). Spiders construct the first radius which faces the north direction. Its modification results from the influence of the phase angle (Nature's Math, 2008). The construction is possible through determination of the base angles between the radii by dividing 360 degrees by the total
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