On the average number of normals through points of a convex body

Abstract

In 1944, Santaló asked about the average number of normals through a point of a given convex body. Since then, numerous results appeared in the literature about this problem. The aim of this paper is to add to this list some new, recent developments. We point out connections of the problem to static equilibria of rigid bodies as well as to geometric partial differential equations of surface evolution.