Lorenz attractor
mathematics
(After Edward Lorenz, its discoverer) A region in the phase space of the solution to certain systems of (non-linear) differential equations. Under certain conditions, the motion of a particle described by such as system will neither converge to a steady state nor diverge to infinity, but will stay in a bounded but chaotically defined region. By chaotic, we mean that the particle’s location, while definitely in the attractor, might as well be randomly placed there. That is, the particle appears to move randomly, and yet obeys a deeper order, since is never leaves the attractor.
Lorenz modelled the location of a particle moving subject to atmospheric forces and obtained a certain system of ordinary differential equations. When he solved the system numerically, he found that his particle moved wildly and apparently randomly. After a while, though, he found that while the momentary behaviour of the particle was chaotic, the general pattern of an attractor appeared. In his case, the pattern was the butterfly shaped attractor now known as the Lorenz attractor.
(1996-01-13)
Read Also:
- Editorialize
[ed-i-tawr-ee-uh-lahyz, -tohr-] /ˌɛd ɪˈtɔr i əˌlaɪz, -ˈtoʊr-/ verb (used without object), editorialized, editorializing. 1. to set forth one’s position or opinion on some subject in, or as if in, an . 2. to inject personal interpretations or opinions into an otherwise factual account. /ˌɛdɪˈtɔːrɪəˌlaɪz/ verb (intransitive) 1. to express an opinion in or as in […]
- Editorialist
[ed-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /ˌɛd ɪˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/ noun 1. an article in a newspaper or other periodical or on a website presenting the opinion of the publisher, writer, or . 2. a statement broadcast on radio or television that presents the opinion of the owner, manager, or the like, of the program, station, or […]
- Editorial
[ed-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /ˌɛd ɪˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/ noun 1. an article in a newspaper or other periodical or on a website presenting the opinion of the publisher, writer, or . 2. a statement broadcast on radio or television that presents the opinion of the owner, manager, or the like, of the program, station, or […]
- Editor
[ed-i-ter] /ˈɛd ɪ tər/ noun 1. a person having managerial and sometimes policy-making responsibility related to the writing, compilation, and revision of content for a publishing firm or for a newspaper, magazine, or other publication: She was offered a managing editor position at a small press. 2. the supervisor or manager of a department of […]
- Eelier
[eel] /il/ noun, plural (especially collectively) eel (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) eels. 1. any of numerous elongated, snakelike marine or freshwater fishes of the order Apodes, having no ventral fins. 2. any of several similar but unrelated fishes, as the lamprey. /iːl/ noun 1. any teleost fish of the order […]