Knots and Links

Knots and links are ways to study tangled or intertwined loops in space, often represented mathematically. A knot is a single closed loop that may be tangled but doesn't cross itself, like a shoelace tie or a loop of rope. A link involves two or more loops intertwined without necessarily being connected, such as interconnected rings. These concepts help mathematicians understand the properties of complex structures, which have applications in fields like biology (DNA strands), chemistry (molecular links), and physics. Understanding how loops can be knotted or linked aids in analyzing their stability and behavior.