Next we want to figure out the length of a parametrized curve. As with
all integrals, we break it into pieces, estimate each piece, add the
pieces together, and take a limit.
In the following video we derive the formulas for these quantities,
compute the
arclength of a cycloid, and compute the surface area of the associated surface
of revolution.
Summary: If we have a parametrized curve running from time $t_1$ to
time $t_2$, then
The arc length of the curve is
$$L = \int_{t_1}^{t_2} \sqrt{\left (
\frac{dx}{dt}\right )^2 + \left ( \frac{dy}{dt}\right )^2}
\;dt,$$
If we rotate the curve around the $x$ axis we get a
surface, called a surface of revolution. The area of this surface is
$$\int_{t_1}^{t_2} 2 \pi y \; \sqrt{\left ( \frac{dx}{dt}\right )^2 +
\left ( \frac{dy}{dt}\right )^2} \;dt.$$