A knot is a loop of rope that is tightened and closed.
A knot is a loop that can be tightened and closed in such a way that the more you pull on its ends, the tighter it becomes. In general, it is difficult for the knot - a term from the Latin nudus - to detach itself.
For example: “I'm going to tie the canvas with a knot to prevent it from flying away,” “Can you help me open the bag?” The seller tied the knot too tightly” , “I have been trying to untie this knot for two hours and I can't” .
What is a knot
A knot, therefore, is a portion of rope, rope, or ice that tightens and closes , making it difficult to undo on its own. Typically, the knot is used to hold something: when tying an object with the same rope , the knot prevents it from sliding or falling.
It is possible to tie a knot to attach a rope to a pole. If we have two posts and a rope, we can tie knots in each one and make the rope taut between both posts. This way, you can hang your clothes.
Knots also allow you to close a bag or package. By tying a knot with the handles of a plastic bag, we prevent its contents from falling out.
Knots are important in sailing.
The term in nautical and mountaineering
In nautical and mountaineering , knots are necessary to increase the safety of activities and to prevent ropes from being lost. There are various types of knots whose learning is essential for those who carry out these activities.
Some of the main types of knots are:
- Stopper knot : serves to prevent the ends of a rope, for example, from slipping through a ring or gap, although it can also be used for ornamental purposes.
- Splicing knot : used to join two ropes or ropes with the purpose of obtaining a greater extension .
- Loop – A knot made at the end of a rope to form a fixed ring or loop.
The knot as a unit of speed measurement
On the other hand, the knot is a unit of speed measurement used in air and sea navigation, and is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour (since 1929 , its conventional value is 1852 meters ). In meteorology, the knot is used to measure the speed at which the wind moves.
Regarding its symbology, according to the International Organization for Standardization (whose acronym is ISO ), kn should be used, which derives from the English term ( knot ). It is also possible to use kt (not to be confused with the kilotonne symbol) and kts for the singular and plural, respectively.
The name of this unit of speed comes from an ancient process used to measure the speed of ships, which consisted of using a rope with a series of knots tied at equal intervals (usually a fathom, that is, the length of both arms extended, which is usually around 2 meters), tied to a piece of wood that was dropped into the water and used to perform a calculation in combination with the use of an hourglass. It was an imprecise method, since it depended on the attention and skill of those who carried it out, not to mention that the segment between the knots was not necessarily the same for two people.
Other uses of the concept
There are other uses of the knot concept that transcend ropes and speed.
The part of some roots and plants through which something peeks out; the inflammation that is generated in the tendons or bones due to illness or accident; the portion of the trunk from which the branches arise; the place where two mountain chains or communication routes cross; and the linking of events preceding the ending in certain genres of literature are also known as knots .