Thompson's problem for 5 electrons

Meeting Details

For more information about this meeting, contact Sergei Tabachnikov.

Speaker: Richard Schwartz, Brown University

Abstract: Thompson's problem, from 1904, asks how 5 electrons arrange themselves on the sphere so as to minimize the Coulomb potential of the configuration. It has long been "known" to scientists that the triangular bi-pyramid is the best configuration, but until now there hasn't been a proof. I will explain my rigorous, computer-aided proof that the triangular bi-pyramid is the best.

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Room Reservation Information

Room Number: 114 McAllister

Date: 11/18/2010

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm