The Writhing Number of a Space Curve
- 1 April 1971
- journal article
- Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 68 (4) , 815-819
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.68.4.815
Abstract
A geometric invariant of a space curve, the writhing number, is defined and studied. For the central curve of a twisted cord the writhing number measures the extent to which coiling of the central curve has relieved local twisting of the cord. This study originated in response to questions that arise in the study of supercoiled double-stranded DNA rings.Keywords
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