Correspondence

Letter from Linus Pauling to D.P. Riley. January 9, 1953.
Pauling writes to inform Riley that he has found an error in the radial distribution functions of the alpha-helix, and that certain calculations are off by as much as one angstrom. He requests that any needed corrections be made.

Transcript

Dr. D. P. Riley

The Royal Institution

21 Albemarle Street

London, England

Dear Riley:

I am writing now to say that we have found the error in our calculations of the radial distribution functions for the α helixes (1 and 2).

I regret to say that the wrong azimuthal angle was used in locating the positions of some of the atoms in the structure. As a result some of the interatomic distances are wrong — usually by a few tenths Angstrom, but in some cases by as much as one Angstrom.

We propose at some convenient time in the future to mention that this error has been made, without going into much detail about it. You may mention it, if you care to - perhaps you should let me check on the wording.

With best regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling:W

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