Why Nature Loves Hexagons

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonateUploaded 03-08-17Follow me to Infinite Series for 4-Dimensional Bees! https://youtu.be/X8jOxEGVyPo Don’t miss our next video! SUBSCRIBE! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓From spirals to spots to fractals, nature is full of interesting patterns. Many of these patterns even resemble geometric shapes. One of the most common? Hexagons. Why do we see this six-sided shape occur so many times in nature? This week we explore why hexagons are so common in the natural world, from honeycomb to bubbles to rocks, and what their mathematics, physics, and biology may have in common.-----------READ MORE:D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson. (1917) “On Growth and Form”Ball, Philip. (2009). “Shapes: nature's patterns: a tapestry in three parts.” OUP Oxford.Karihaloo, B. L., Zhang, K., and Wang, J. (2013). Honeybee combs: how the circular cells transform into rounded hexagons. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 10(86), 20130299.Hofmann, Martin, et al. "Why hexagonal basalt columns?." Physical review letters 115.15 (2015): 154301.Aydin, Atilla, and James M. DeGraff. "Evolution of polygonal fracture patterns in lava flows." Science 239.4839 (1988): 471-476.Hayashi, Takashi, and Richard W. Carthew. "Surface mechanics mediate pattern formation in the developing retina." Nature 431.7009 (2004): 647.Kim, Sangwoo, et al. "Hexagonal Patterning of the Insect Compound Eye: Facet Area Variation, Defects, and Disorder." Biophysical journal 111.12 (2016): 2735-2746.-----------FOLLOW US:Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartTwitter: @okaytobesmart @DrJoeHansonTumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Instagram: @DrJoeHansonSnapchat: YoDrJoe-----------It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D.Director: Andrew MatthewsWriter: Joe HansonProducer/editor/animator: Andrew Matthews Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda FoxProduced by PBS Digital StudiosMusic via APMStock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices