What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the relationship between nuclear binding energies and the geometric properties of composite knots.

March 23, 2026Open Access

Nuclear binding energies from composite-knot ropelength

Puntos clave

To explore the relationship between nuclear binding energies and the geometric properties of composite knots.
Model atomic nuclei as connect-sums of trefoil knots with alternating chirality.
Fit the geometric ropelength of the knots to experimental binding energy data of 50 nuclei.
Perform out-of-sample predictions for specific isotopes not included in the original fit.
Achieved a fit with R² = 0.9998 and RMS = 6.9 MeV.
Outperformed the Bethe–Weizsäcker formula, which had an RMS of 8.3 MeV.
Predicted binding energies for ²⁴⁴Pu and ²⁵²Cf with errors ranging from 0.4 to 8 MeV.

Resumen

We report a curious numerical observation: if atomic nuclei are modelled as connect-sums of trefoil knots with alternating chirality, the ropelength of the composite knot — a purely geometric quantity requiring no quantum mechanics — tracks the experimental binding-energy curve from hydrogen to uranium. A two-parameter fit to 50 nuclei gives R² = 0.9998 and RMS = 6.9 MeV, outperforming the five-parameter Bethe–Weizsäcker formula (RMS = 8.3 MeV). Out-of-sample predictions for ²⁴⁴Pu and ²⁵²Cf, not used in the fit, are accurate to 0.4–8 MeV.

Leer artículo completoexternamente

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo