Geometry of curves in space

The metric geometry of equilibrium thermodynamics provides an unusual prototype in the rich spectrum of possibilities of differential geometry. Just as Einstein s general relativistic theory of gravitation enriched the classical Riemann theory of curved spaces, so does its thermodynamic manifestation suggest further extensions of powerful Riemannian concepts. Theorems and tools of the differential geometer may be sharpened or extended by application to the unique Riemannian features of equilibrium chemical and phase thermodynamics. 

The conscious final decision to take the risk, with the current sequence, should be read as a personal conviction that the beauty of chemistry can never be fully appreciated unless viewed against the background in which all matter originates - space-time, or the vacuum. Not only matter, but all modes of interaction are shaped by the geometry of space, which at the moment remains a matter of conjecture. However, the theory of general relativity points the way by firmly demonstrating that the known material world can only exist in curved space-time. The theory of special relativity affirms that space-time has a minimum of four dimensions. Again, spaces of more dimensions are conjectural at present. 

The observation that bonds of all orders relate to the bonding diagram in equivalent fashion indicates that covalent bonds are conditioned by the geometry of space, rather than the geometry of electron fields, dictated by atomic orbitals or other density functions. The only special point related to electron density occurs at the junction of the attractive curves, where e = indicating that one pair of electrons mediate the covalent interaction. It is interpreted as the limiting length (dj) for first-order bonds. It is of interest to note that all known first-order bonds have d > d[. The covalence curve for the minimum ratio of x = 0.18 (for CsH) terminates at dl = d[. 

An imperfect lower-dimensional analogue of the envisaged world geometry is the Mobius strip. It is considered imperfect in the sense of being a two-dimensional surface, closed in only one direction when curved into three-dimensional space. To represent a closed system it has to be described as either a one-dimensional surface (e.g. following the arrows of figure 7) curved in three, or a two-dimensional surface (projective plane) closed in four di-... 

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