On the Sombor index of graphs

This paper is concerned with a recently introduced graph invariant, namely the Sombor index. Some bounds on the Sombor index are derived, and then utilized to establish additional bounds by making use of the existing results. One of the direct consequences of one of the obtained bounds is that the cycle graph Cn attains the minimum Sombor index among all connected unicyclic graphs of a fixed order n >= 4. Graphs having the maximum Sombor index are also characterized from the classes of all connected unicyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, tetracyclic, and pentacyclic graphs of a fixed order, and a conjecture concerning the maximum Sombor index of graphs of higher cyclicity is stated. A structural result is derived for graphs with integer values of Sombor index. Several possible directions for future work are also indicated.