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Tendril perversion—a physical implication of the topological conservation law

Piotr Pieranski1, Justyna Baranska1 and Arne Skjeltorp2

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Tendril perversion—a phenomenon ruled by the topological conservation law—is presented. A contemporary, quantitative analysis of the phenomenon is confronted with its qualitative, intuitive analysis carried out by Charles Darwin. The linking number, twist and writhe are defined. The topological conservation law is introduced. The Gauss formula for calculating the linking number and the Calugareanu formula for calculating writhe are derived and discussed using physical arguments.


PACS

87.23.-n Ecology and evolution

92.40.Oj Eco-hydrology; plant ecology

02.50.Ey Stochastic processes

Subjects

Computational physics

Environmental and Earth science

Dates

Issue 5 (September 2004)

Received 31 March 2004

Published 22 June 2004



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