Molecular forces: The surprising stretching behavior of DNA
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - 12:20
in Physics & Chemistry
When large forces act on a heavy beam, for example, in bridge construction, the beam will be slightly deformed. Calculating the relationship between forces, internal stresses and deformations is one of the standard tasks in civil engineering. But what happens when you apply these considerations to tiny objects—for example, to a single DNA double helix?