Catenoid

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Catenoid.png A catenoid is a three-dimensional shape made by rotating a catenary curve around the x axis.

A catenoid is one of several types of minimal surfaces.

A physical model of a catenoid can be formed by dipping two circles into a soap solution, (popping any film in the center of the circle), and slowly drawing the circles apart.

One can bend a catenoid into the shape of a helicoid without stretching. In other words, one can make a continuous and isometric deformation of a catenoid to a helicoid such that every member of the deformation family is minimal.fr:Caténoïde ru:Катеноид