000 02279nam a22002177a 4500
999 _c55982
_d55982
005 20191121143704.0
008 191121b ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
020 _a9781470437350
082 _a514 FLA
100 _aErica Flapan
245 _aKnots, molecules, and the universe
_b: an introduction to topology
_c/Erica Flapan
260 _aProvidence, Rhode Island
_b: American Mathematical Society
_c, 2016
300 _axvii, 386 pages
_c ; 26 cm
365 _b00
505 _aPart 1 : Universes. An introduction to the shape of the universe -- Visualizing four dimensions -- Geometry and topology of different universes -- Orientability -- Flat manifolds -- Connected sums of spaces -- Products of spaces -- Geometries of surfaces -- Part 2 : Knots. Introduction to knot theory -- Invariants of knots and links -- Knot polynomials -- Part 3 : Molecules. Mirror image symmetry from different viewpoints -- Techniques to prove topological chirality -- The topology and geometry of DNA -- The topology of proteins.
520 _aThis book is an elementary introduction to geometric topology and its applications to chemistry, molecular biology, and cosmology. It does not assume any mathematical or scientific background, sophistication, or even motivation to study mathematics. It is meant to be fun and engaging while drawing students in to learn about fundamental topological and geometric ideas. Though the book can be read and enjoyed by nonmathematicians, college students, or even eager high school students, it is intended to be used as an undergraduate textbook. The book is divided into three parts corresponding to the three areas referred to in the title. Part 1 develops techniques that enable two- and three-dimensional creatures to visualize possible shapes for their universe and to use topological and geometric properties to distinguish one such space from another. Part 2 is an introduction to knot theory with an emphasis on invariants. Part 3 presents applications of topology and geometry to molecular symmetries, DNA, and proteins. Each chapter ends with exercises that allow for better understanding of the material
650 _aAlgebraic topology
655 _aGeometry
_bKnot theory
700 _aErica Flapan
942 _cBOOK