An Estimate of the Vibrational Frequencies of Spherical Virus Particles

الأصل · EN

The possible normal modes of vibration of a nearly spherical virus particle are discussed. Two simple models for the particle are treated, a liquid drop model and an elastic sphere model. Some estimates for the lowest vibrational frequency are given for each model. It is concluded that this frequency is likely to be of the order of a few GHz for particles with a radius of the order of 50 nm.