How Large is the Gap?

For a cylinder (or sphere) of radius r, the

corresponding circumference is C = 2πr.

If we add an amount L to the circumference C, and

arrange the new loop into a circle, then the radius of
the new circle is determined by the equation

“New circumference = 2π times new radius”, i.e.

C + L = 2π(r + d), where d is the “gap” from the

surface of the cylinder. Now we subtract the equation
C = 2πr from C + L = 2π(r + d) and obtain the result
L = 2πd, or d = L/ 2π.

If in particular, L = 12 inches, then in inches, the gap

is d = 12/2π ≈ 1.91 inches…

…regardless of the size of the cylinder or sphere.

It could be (in principle) the moon, the Earth, Jupiter,

the Sun, or a sphere enclosing the visible universe! (I
realize we’re getting a little impractical here).