What is Chaos: Definition and 199 Discussions

The Symbol of Chaos originates from Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion stories and its dichotomy of Law and Chaos. In them, the Symbol of Chaos comprises eight arrows in a radial pattern. In contrast, the symbol of Law is a single upright arrow. It is also called the Arms of Chaos, the Arrows of Chaos, the Chaos Star, the Chaos Cross, the Star of Discord, the Chaosphere (when depicted as a three-dimensional sphere), or the Symbol of Eight.
Alternative symbols of chaos (owing nothing to Moorcock) include the Sacred Chao and the Five Fingered Hand of Eris of Discordianism.

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  1. marellasunny

    Minimal model in Chaos theory

    I am reading a book on chaos theory by Robert M.May.There is a reference to a 'minimal model of a ecosystem' through which the author describes hysteresis and bistable states. Q. What does a minimal model mean in mathematical terms,&also intuitively?Is it a concept of topology referring to...
  2. C

    Prerequisites for Chaos Theory

    I've taken an interest in chaos theory of late, but only from a casual standpoint. What are the math requirements for truly understanding chaos theory? What about physics? Any other knowledge required? I will earn my BS in computer science and minor in mathematics in spring 2013. I've...
  3. G

    Can Isolated Systems Under an Energy Constraint Exhibit Chaotic Behavior?

    For systems under an energy constraint (a conserved Hamiltonian that is a function of the q's and p's in generalized coordinates), is it possible for it to behave chaotically (chaos by its dynamical definition), or will it always have some equilibrium it tends towards?
  4. L

    Understanding Chaos Theory: Unpredictability in Deterministic Systems

    What is chaos theory? I know this is a broad subject, so feel free to direct me to books or links.
  5. J

    Is Chaos Truly Nonexistent in a Digital World?

    Does " Chaos " really exist ? Does " Chaos " really exist, i think not, there is an understanding of every situation, no matter how small, and a Digital view of this, is by way no means a true view, this is the only reason " Chaos " exists, because "Digital Fails to understand and gives false...
  6. T

    Explore the N-Body Problem for Chaos

    When looking for chaos in the n body problem what should i do?
  7. R

    Bifurcations and Chaos - Complex eigenvalues

    Homework Statement Identify the stable, unstable and center eigenspaces for \dot{y} = the 3x3 matrix row 1: 0, -3, 0 row 2: 3, 0, 0 row 3: 0, 0, 1 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution This is an example used from the lecture and I understand how to get the...
  8. MathWarrior

    Where are nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory used?

    Basically where are nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory used in the real world? Like if someone studies it what type of areas might they find it being useful for? The only example I can seem to think of is stuff like weather/fluids/air resistance/physics. What might be some other more...
  9. W

    Can Quantum Chaos Theory Unravel the Mysteries of Biology?

    http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/27628/?p1=blogs For those who might not know of the theory the goal of quantum chaos theory is to explain all of classical physics including classical chaos as emerging from quantum systems. They've had some experimental success in the past, but this...
  10. S

    Why world looks chaos on atomic scale but it is uniform on higher scale?

    Hey guys, I am thinking about world at small scale and world at larger scale. Why world is more chaos at smaller scale and why it is more smooth and uniform in larger scale?
  11. P

    Measuring Chaos: Is There a Parameter for Chaotic-ness?

    Is there any parameter that represents the chaotic-ness of a system? For example, can we show that a 4-body system is in general more chaotic than a 3-body problem? Thank you : )
  12. M

    Interested in Chaos Theory, Complex Systems, Nonlinear Systems

    As the thread title says I'm interested in Chaos Theory, Complex Systems, and Nonlinear Systems. If I can help it, I'd like to study these at graduate level. My question is what kind and how much mathematics I'm supposed to know if I'm to study these?
  13. W

    Books on Chaos theory for an engineering graduate?

    I'll be self-studying about chaos theory. I am looking for a comprehensive book on chaos theory which also touches upon the mathematical aspects involved in it from scratch .I'm no math graduate.. I hold an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.So, my knowledge in math is limited to...
  14. T

    What to include in a report on Chaos Theory

    I have to conduct a physics research report on Chaos Theory. From background reading i understand it to be a very maths based topic so my question is how do i relate chaos theory to physics? What sort of sub topics should i be researching? Any responses greatly appreciated!
  15. M

    Condition of Chaos: Ljapunov Exponent & Strange Attractor

    Usually positive Ljapunov exponent is said to be a condition for chaos, and the strange atractor is so. Are there any theorem which shows that the two condition is equivalent? They are necessary and sufficent conditions?
  16. W

    What is the Unified Theory of Chaos?

    I've been doing a lot of reading on chaos lately. Things like the butterfly effect, the logistic equation, the Lorenz attractor, etc. It's all great and wonderful but I'm finding things very un-unified. I understand that certain nonlinear systems can sometimes exhibit chaotic behavior, but...
  17. M

    Was Chaos really Newton's death ?

    Dear Physics Forum community. Please allow me tro preface the following by stating that I am a novice to the concept of chaos theory. Although I do understand the general concept behind Turing, Bellousov, Laurenz and Madelbrot's concepts, I am not entirely familiar with the mathematical basis...
  18. R

    Max Entropy: Is Infinite Chaos Possible?

    Apologies for the confusingly worded title; i was trying to keep it short. If the universe reaches a state of maximum entropy (as in the Heat Death theory), why would that state be stable. Wouldnt entropy be infinite and therefore any state, including the maximumly ordered state of the Big...
  19. R

    Order and harmony vs disorder and chaos.

    The word 'cosmos' is defined as an orderly harmonious systematic universe. There are some people who actually think that disorder, randomness and chaos is a better description of the Universe, but I disagree. For the most part the Universe exhibits a very high degree of order, harmony and...
  20. R

    Initial state of the Universe (order or chaos)

    In the following video Penrose states that the Universe was so special and organized at its initial state the figure describing it would be "at least" 10^123. Begin at 4:50 Has this figure or any other figure been confirmed? Where can I go to find out if this is true or not. I found...
  21. Q

    Chaos Theory: Periodic Points

    Homework Statement How do I find periodic points of a given function? I'm looking at discrete cases only (iterations of the function). Homework Equations A point is defined to be a periodic point of period n if f^n(x)=x, where f^n(x) is defined recursively as f(f^n-1(x)). [If this...
  22. M

    Does chaos theory contend with the second law of thermodynamics?

    Of course, the second law of thermodynamics implies that all closed systems will go from a state of state of order to disorder. Chaos theory offers the possibility of systems developing patterns and order from seemingly disordered or chaotic systems. Do these theories contradict or is there...
  23. S

    What is the truth behind The Secret Life of Chaos?

    If you haven't watched it, can be found here: I watched the second time today and it was absolutely astonishing, didn't quite "get it" the first time. It pretty much explains how life originates. I don't think anything can be added to what the program wanted to convey. I would like to...
  24. F

    My Career was always in Chaos except now 2010 i am agile with Science

    I am agile with Science but my Career was Chaotic except now 2010 I am passionate about Science but my Career was always in downturn except now 2010 i am Curious to become a Scientist r a researcher but i am already 25years old n everyone tells me that i am abnormal erratic(useless) person...
  25. T

    Fractals and chaos - what do they have in common?

    I really like fractals and what I find even more amazing, is that something so beautiful can be so useful. I've heard that they can be used for example in chaos. I've gone through about 10 websites and all were about fractals and chaos. But I couldn't find a single sentence that would tell me...
  26. marcus

    Conrady's animation visualizes chaos cooling and 2D space crystalizing out

    MTd2 spotted this interesting paper by Florian Conrady (Perimeter postdoc). To go with this paper the author has provided two animations to watch: http://www.florianconrady.com/simulations.html The second one of these two simulations ("Model with 2D interactions") shows the crystalization of...
  27. N

    Three Body Problem (and Chaos Theory, Determinism and Prigogine)

    Hello, I've used the search button but the topic I found on it didn't quite answer my questions, so here is my go at it: (I have done one year of maths at college, to know my level in case it's important for formulating your answer) So I've started reading "The End of Certainty" by Prigogine...
  28. A

    Quantum Chaos: Existence and Stability

    what is quantum chaos? dose it exist realy? the original definition of classical chaos is a system with exponential sensitivity to initial conditions. however in quantum mechanics because of the linear property of the schrodinger equation, variation on initial condition of the wave function...
  29. J

    Chaos Theory: Is It Still Being Studied?

    So I've recently been reading up a bit on Chaos theory. It seems like a pretty cool idea (that's all I can say about it, because I don't have a true, full understanding of it) but my question is this: Is it still being studied? I'm reading CHAOS by James Gleick(basically the definition of...
  30. P

    Exploring Chaos Theory: Where to Learn and What to Study

    Hi I'm new to this and sorry if this is not the correct place to post this. I was wondering if people still study chaos theory? (sorry if its a silly question) And if they do where chaos scientists work and what are the main things you need to study so you can study chaos theory. Thank you
  31. M

    I'd like to Pursue a Career related to chaos theory

    I have a BS in math and to think of it Chaos theory was why I got into this field to begin with. Which educational/career path should i follow from now on?
  32. J

    Chaos Theory and Human Behavior: Can it Explain the Complexity of the Mind?

    Does the following statement make sense: The Chaos theory models systems (e.g., gases, fluids, sound, populations, whether, solar system) which particles (e.g., atoms, waves, specimens, currents, planets) shift from entropy to harmony following certain laws (e.g, thermodynamic, mass, space...
  33. sophiecentaur

    Microwave defrost : Chaos ?

    Microwave defrost :"Chaos" ? The defrost cycle on my microwave oven claims to use "Chaos". Can this be a serious Engineering idea or is it just a flahsy sounding term, meaning nothing?
  34. diegzumillo

    Hamiltonian systems, integrability, chaos and MATH

    Hi there, My objective is to study Hamiltonian systems, integrable and non integrable systems, where there will be chaos, etc. I have a general idea of everything.. the destroyed tori, the symplectic structure of hamilton's equations, etc. But nothing is very clear to me! And the most...
  35. O

    Chaos Lab Experiment: Exploring the Dynamics of a Forced Oscillator

    Hey all, I'm a little confused and just wondered if you could help me out with some chaos theory (don't worry, this isn't homework!). My lab partner and I (second-year undergrads) have been doing an experiment in the lab on chaos theory for an extended project and we started off with an LCR...
  36. B

    Link between fractals and chaos

    I have studied fractals and think of them as things that exhibit self similarity at different characteristic scales. For example a grain of sand looks a bit like a pebble, which looks a bit like an outcrop, which looks a bit like a mountain. If you count the number of grains of sand there will...
  37. W

    Does chaos means long term numerical simulations useless?

    i am now reading a prl paper the authors used numerical simulations to study a nonlinear system in some parameters, the authors state that system enters into chaos My numerical simulations are the same as that of the authors in the regular regime but in the chaos regime, my...
  38. W

    Does chaos means long term numerical simulations useless?

    i am now reading a prl paper the authors used numerical simulations to study a nonlinear system in some parameters, the authors state that system enters into chaos My numerical simulations are the same as that of the authors but in the chaos regime, my simulations are quite different...
  39. P

    Chaos vs. Order: Is there a Transition Zone?

    Is there a line between a system in chaos and one not in chaos? Alternatively, is there a transition zone? If such things do exits, what are they called?
  40. Z

    Does Chaos Theory Refute Evolution?

    i apologize if my terminology is not correct because I am kind of new to this theology stuff. I know there is a theory, I'm not sure if it's chaos theory, that states that all things move toward disorganization or chaos rather than organization. This seems to be true in the broad sense of...
  41. MathematicalPhysicist

    Synthesis between Quantum Chaos and QFT.

    Are there any attempts to synthesize between these two theories? I mean are there methods from QFT being used in QC and vice versa? I asked one professor from my univ if I were to research under his belt in QC, would I need some QFT knowledge and he said not. So I wonder are they really...
  42. L

    Textbooks on Fractals and Chaos

    Hi! I'm perusing fractals out of personal interest. Although I come from physics, I have a background in math-major undergrad mathematics (complex analysis, a bit of modern algebra). I find Mandelbrot's Fractal Geometry of Nature relatively light reading, but I am interested in a more standard...
  43. A

    Fractals and Chaos: What's the Connection?

    Hi, I've read a little bit about fractals, being self repeating shapes. Is there a connections between fractals and chaotic systems? Thanks
  44. T

    Observational evidence of chaos

    Hello ! I'm looking for a paper or a link that would report observational evidence of chaos behaviour for the three-body problem. Thanks for helping me.
  45. G

    Help with a proof with discrete dynamical sysmtes / chaos theory.

    Homework Statement Consider the families of iterating functions Fλ(x) = λ(x3 - x). Fλ(x) undergoes a bifurcation at λ=1, about the fixed point x=0. Figure out what ilk of bifurcation is occurring for Fλ(x) and prove your assertion rigorously.Homework Equations My book says this about...
  46. M

    Global Warming and Chaos Theory

    There has been much controversy concerning Global Warming: sun spot activity, only heat radiation at 15 microns being trapped by CO2, vast amounts of greenhouse gases going intot he atmosphere from exploding volcanos and the general cyclical nature of climate change have attempted to explain the...
  47. T

    Introduction to chaos theory

    Hello there I have to write an interdisciplinary project at school, in mathematics and physics, where I have to go beyond what is covered in the syllabus for mathematics. I have chosen the subject of chaos theory. Can you recommend any good introductions, on this subject? And would I need...
  48. lisab

    Chaos, horror, mayhem in my neighborhood

    I can't believe it...there has just been a traffic circle built in my neighborhood. How exotic! It's just around the corner from me - the SQUARE corner. The center of the circle is still just dirt. So far I have seen two cars dirve straight across it! Someone's going to get killed out...
  49. X

    The decrease of the information v.s. chaos ?

    the decrease of the information v.s. chaos ?? One book about Chaos says that we can use the decrease of the information of the system to define whether the system is chaotic or not. I don't know why and how to do it? If you know about it, can you show it to me, or you can tell me the...
  50. I

    Need intro texts to Chaos theory

    can someone give me some hints on studying chaos theory? like some introductory websites, good introductory texts, prerequisites for studying? edit how readable is "The Fractal Geometry of Nature" by mandlebrot?
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