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Nullity of a graph with a cut-edge. (English) Zbl 1461.05117

Summary: The nullity of a graph is known to be an analytical tool to predict reactivity and conductivity of molecular \(pi\)-systems. In this paper we consider the change in nullity when graphs with a cut-edge, and others derived from them, undergo geometrical operations. In particular, we consider the deletion of edges and vertices, the contraction of edges and the insertion of an edge at a coalescence vertex. We also derive three inequalities on the nullity of graphs along the same lines as the consequences of the Interlacing Theorem. These results shed light, in the tight-binding source and sink potential model, on the behaviour of molecular graphs which allow or bar conductivity in the cases when the connections are either distinct or ipso.

MSC:

05C50 Graphs and linear algebra (matrices, eigenvalues, etc.)
05C92 Chemical graph theory
92E10 Molecular structure (graph-theoretic methods, methods of differential topology, etc.)