Latex Definition and 999 Threads

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.
Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms). It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid." It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.
The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.
Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

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  1. B

    LaTeX Latex vs Hand Writing: Can Computer Notes Aid in Memory Recall?

    Hello everyone, I take notes strictly with Latex, as I am able to get more done in a day by not taking hand written notes; and lately I have been contemplating using latex to write up solutions to problems for the same reason, that I might get more done in a day. My concern is, however, that...
  2. Saitama

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  3. L

    LaTeX Latex skills and asking about antiderivatives

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  4. mesa

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  5. Philosophaie

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    **g_{ij} = ** **g^{ij} = ** **\Gamma_{ij}^{k} = ** <tex>R^{i}_{jkl} = </tex> <tex>R_{ij} = </tex> <tex>R = </tex> <tex>T_{ij} = </tex>
  6. schrodingerscat11

    LaTeX Learn Latex Easily: http://arachnoid.com/latex/

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  7. andrewkirk

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  8. M

    LaTeX How can we insert LaTeX codes here ?

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  9. M

    LaTeX Astrophysical Journal LaTex template

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  10. F

    LaTeX What to do when you can't get Latex formatted correctly?

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  11. PsychonautQQ

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  12. Philosophaie

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  13. M

    LaTeX Facebook and Latex: A Petition for Improved Communication with Friends

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  14. D

    LaTeX LaTeX your opinion of boxing examples in notes

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  15. caffeinemachine

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  16. Nugatory

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  17. R

    LaTeX What does this symbol mean and how do you type it in LaTeX?

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  18. infinite.curve

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  19. mathworker

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  20. D

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  21. Ryuzaki

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  22. N

    LaTeX Viewing LaTeX Formulas on the PF App: Updates and Possibilities

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  23. D

    LaTeX How can I create PDFs using LaTeX?

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  24. Fredrik

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  25. M

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  26. L

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  27. Petrus

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  28. topsquark

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  29. dkotschessaa

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  30. A

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  31. tsuwal

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  32. M

    LaTeX Changing the \subsubsection format in LaTeX

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  33. B

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  34. B

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  35. B

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  36. I like Serena

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  37. R

    LaTeX The web app that lets you find latex symbols by drawing them

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  38. D

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  39. D

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  40. fluidistic

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  41. Y

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  42. strangerep

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  43. Ackbach

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  44. D

    LaTeX Redefine \mathbf in LaTeX for Custom Font - Tips and Troubleshooting

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  45. Fredrik

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  46. E

    LaTeX Is there a latex document writer?

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  47. A

    LaTeX How can I include MATLAB code in Latex without encountering errors?

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  48. G

    LaTeX Latex: include with path, not just filename

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  49. J

    LaTeX How Do You Notate Subsections in LaTeX?

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  50. Useful nucleus

    LaTeX Does one really needs to learn LaTex?

    So I have some spare time which I decided to use to learn a new software. I thought of learning LaTex but I could not really find good reasons to do so. I do research in Materials Science / Condensed Matter Physics and in my field it is very common to communicate documents written with MS Word...
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