5 ms·
In the late 1800's knot theory was quite popular with physicists. Now there is the much bigger string theory: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/1602
by RachelF 10y ago
In the late 1800's knot theory was quite popular with physicists. Now there is the much bigger string theory:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160210170411.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160210170411.h...
On a lighter note I could use some knot theory to explain why earphone or computer cables always seem to tie themselves up, despite my best efforts to keep them apart.
- emptybits 10y agoHere's a paper on the topic: "Spontaneous knotting of an agitated string" [1] From the abstract: "We performed experiments in which a string was tumbled inside a box and found that complex knots often form within seconds. We used mathematical knot theory to analyze the knots." [1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17911269 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17911269
- cohomologo 10y agoKnot theory is still quite popular with physicists of certain sorts, such as condensed matter physicists that study "topological phases" - a popular account that I like can be found here: https://www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/people/SteveSimon/PWsept10.pdf https://www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/people/SteveSimon/PWsept...
- NolF 10y agoThere are fewer desired unknot states to your cable than there are tangled and knotted states to them. There also is some confirmation bias as you are less likely to noticed the desired state versus having to battle through the knots for 5 minutes.
- pizza 10y agoLoops tangle creating more loops easierly and do not undo themselves typically but rather get tighter upon pulling
- triplesec 10y agothat's knot funny