Whats in a Knot

1
Whats in a Knot?

• Michael Ehrenberg
• October 13, 2005

2
Differentiating Between Knots

• Can this knot be untangled?

                                                
                           
?
3
Whats in a Mathematical Knot?
Trivial Knot
Trefoil Knot
4
Composite Knots
                            
5
Knot History

• Late 1800s
• Universe filled with Ether
• Lord Kelvin proposed each element has a signature
• Signature based on knotting of element with
  ether

6
Knot Applications

• Late 1980s
• DNA Tangling
• Genetic Impact of Knots