Looking for a name for a natural phenomenon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a name for a natural phenomenon characterized by cyclical patterns of gradual buildup followed by sudden release. Participants explore various examples from nature, sociology, and physics, considering both energy-related and sociological contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the phenomenon involves the sudden release of accumulated potential energy, but emphasize that it is a continual process rather than a one-time event.
  • There is a discussion about whether the events can be classified as periodic, with some arguing that they cannot be periodic if they occur at varying intervals.
  • One participant proposes the term "Outbreaks" as a potential name, while others suggest "Sporadic Outbreaks" to reflect the non-constant nature of the occurrences.
  • Participants debate the appropriateness of the term "sporadic" versus "periodic," with some agreeing that "sporadic" is more fitting.
  • Examples such as sociological issues like sectarian wars and natural phenomena like the pressure cooker whistle are discussed to illustrate the cyclical nature of the phenomenon.
  • There is a suggestion to categorize the occurrences into random, deterministic, or chaotic types, with the acknowledgment that nothing in the universe is truly random.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the original question, indicating that the concept may be complex or unclear.
  • Corrections are made regarding the terminology used, specifically distinguishing between "causal" and "casual."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a definitive name for the phenomenon. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain, with ongoing debate about the terminology and classification of the events discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express limitations in their understanding of the mathematical concepts related to randomness, determinism, and chaos, which may affect their contributions to the discussion.

Frenemy90210
There are many cyclical phenomena occurring in a nature which have a similar pattern, such as:
  • Farting, Yawning : (Slow buildup of gas over time and then sudden discharge of the gas)
  • earthquake
  • Slow capacitor charging and then sudden discharge
  • Monjolo (Water powered hammer) :
  • Sectarion riots/wars


Is there any name for such a phenomena ?
 
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Frenemy90210 said:
Is there any name for such a phenomena ?

Do you mean the sudden release of the accumulated potential energy?
I don't understand what pattern you mean.
 
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Ivan Samsonov said:
Do you mean the sudden release of the accumulated potential energy?
I don't understand what pattern you mean.

Yes but continually repetitive, not one-time occurrence.
 
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Frenemy90210 said:
Yes but continually repetitive, not one-time occurrence.

Oh, yep, ok.
I will have a think.
 
Frenemy90210 said:
Yes but continually repetitive, not one-time occurrence.
Random or not? Periodic? ...
 
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Frenemy90210 said:
Yes but continually repetitive, not one-time occurrence.

Edit : Also note that phenomena does not apply to just energy, but also socialogical issues such as sectarian wars between two groups/. ex. Immediately after a war/riot, it is all peace. Then tensions start slowly building up and after some period, there is war once again; and the cycle continues.
Stavros Kiri said:
Random or not? Periodic? ...

periodic.
Also note that phenomena does not apply to just energy, but also sociological issues such as sectarian wars between two groups/. ex. Immediately after a war/riot, it is all peace. Then tensions start slowly building up and after some period, there is war once again; and the cycle continues.
 
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I think they are just called 'Outbreaks'
 
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Frenemy90210 said:
periodic
But not a constant period (e.g. wars, farting ...)
 
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Stavros Kiri said:
But not a constant period (e.g. wars, farting ...)

Then they can't be periodic if they happen at different intervals and times.
 
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  • #10
Stavros Kiri said:
But not a constant period (e.g. wars, farting ...)
yes, correct. Not a constant period.
 
  • #11
Ivan Samsonov said:
Then they can't be periodic if they happen at different intervals and times.
Yes, the "term periodic" was not used in a scientific sense.ex. "Periodic outbreaks of Cholera"
 
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  • #12
Frenemy90210 said:
yes, correct. Not a constant period.
Then ' "Outbreaks" of different types' I think would be the name. I'll try to include or incorporate or generalize into it somewhow the "non-necessarilly constant periodicity".

First thought : 'Sporadic Outbreaks'
Does it work?
 
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  • #13
Stavros Kiri said:
Then ' "Outbreaks" of different types' I think would be the name. I'll try include or incorporate or generalize into it somewhow the "non-necessarilly constsnt periodicity".

First thought : 'Sporadic Outbreaks'
Does it work?

Stavros Kiri said:
I think they are just called 'Outbreaks'

'Outbreaks' is a good hypothesis. I like it.
 
  • #14
Ivan Samsonov said:
'Outbreaks' is a good hypothesis. I like it.
How about the "Sporadic" part?
 
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  • #15
Frenemy90210 said:
Yes, the "term periodic" was not used in a scientific sense.ex. "Periodic outbreaks of Cholera"
I think "Sporadic" should be used instead of periodic. Do you agree?
 
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  • #16
Stavros Kiri said:
I think "Sporadic" should be used instead of periodic. Do you agree?

I do.
 
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  • #17
Ivan Samsonov said:
'Outbreaks' is a good hypothesis. I like it.

Yes. It should have been "sporadic" instead of periodic.
However, I think "Outbreaks"/"Sporadic outbreaks" does not completely reflect the phenomena. e.g. think of sporadic rashes on skin. There is no gradual buildup of anything between two incidents of rashes. Each time some one gets an infection, they get rashes.

What I was looking for is a process in which "slow accumulation of something over a period of time then sudden release of it and the process repeats".
Not all sporadic events have a gradual buildup of the causal elements that lead to outbreak.
 
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  • #18
Or "Sporadic Causal Discharges" is a broader or better one?
 
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  • #19
To say the truth I do not 100% understand the OP question.
It is a bit weirdo_O.
 
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  • #20
Frenemy90210 said:
"slow accumulation of something over a period of time then sudden release of it and the process repeats"
How about
Stavros Kiri said:
Or "Sporadic Causal Discharges" is a broader or better one?
then.
Does it work?
But still looking into it (all your data) ...
It's a good question! You're trying to make a generalization ...
 
  • #21
Ivan Samsonov said:
To say the truth I do not 100% understand the OP question.
It is a bit weirdo_O.

I think this link can be a good example.
 
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  • #22
Stavros Kiri said:
"Sporadic Causal Discharges"

Naturally occurring sporadic casual discharges - even better?
But are they truly random?
 
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  • #23
Frenemy90210 said:
I think this link can be a good example.


Ok, thank you.
 
  • #24
Stavros Kiri said:
Or "Sporadic Causal Discharges" is a broader or better one?

Thanks, but will wait for more suggestions .
 
  • #25
Ivan Samsonov said:
But are they truly random?

Any ideas?
 
  • #26
Ivan Samsonov said:
Any ideas?
I think they can be divided into categories: random, deterministic or chaotic ...
 
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  • #27
Ivan Samsonov said:
Any ideas?
No they are not truly random. But nothing in the universe is.
 
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  • #28
Frenemy90210 said:
Thanks, but will wait for more suggestions .
How about:
Ivan Samsonov said:
Naturally occurring sporadic casual discharges - even better?
But are they truly random?
Stavros Kiri said:
I think they can be divided into categories: random, deterministic or chaotic ...
That covers me. Others can think of anything else?
You just made a new generalization right there ...
 
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  • #29
Stavros Kiri said:
I think they can be divided into categories: random, deterministic or chaotic ...

Frenemy90210 said:
No they are not truly random. But nothing in the universe is.

Thank you.

Stavros Kiri said:
I think they can be divided into categories: random, deterministic or chaotic ...

Right.
 
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  • #30
So that phenomenon will have different types ... and at least 3 categories.
You can't put all in one, I think.
 
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