Lorenz coined this term because in essence, the flapping of a butterfly's wings in China could alter the weather in the United States a few days later by creating a chain reaction of turbulence in the atmosphere. Tiny changes in one area of the world could affect the weather in another part of the world.
it should in time be understandable in broad principle
by everyone, not just a few scientists.
Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people,
be able to take part in the discussion of the question
of why it is that we and the universe exist."
Stephen Hawking
"The 'Butterfly Effect', or more technically the "Sensitive Dependence on Initial Conditions", is the essence of chaos. This is illustrated in the accompanying applet of the Lorenz Attractor. Click On "START" to see the "Butterfly".
the best thing that can happen to a scientist, realizing
that something that's happened in his or her mind
exactly corresponds to something that happens in nature.
It's startling every time it occurs. One is surprised
that a construct of one's own mind can actually be realized
in the honest-to-goodness world out there.
A great shock, and a great, great joy."
Leo Kadanoff
Physics 123: Introduction to Fractals and Chaos (The University of the South, Sewanee, TN)
CHAOS WITHOUT THE MATH: Who found it? What are they doing with it? What's next? What causes it? What takes over? What happens at decision time? To be or not to be? What is this new complexity? How can we find it and use it? & other good links.
Chaos Theory (Article)
Click in the window to start a Lorenz Butterfly (Cool Interactice Animation).
Chaos Gallery - All arts is but imitation of nature. (Omnis ars naturae imitatio est.) – Seneca (University of Maryland)
Chaos in Prehistory - A speculative paper on the potential of Complexity Theory for the conceptual study of Palaeolithic Archaeology
ButterFly Effect - A name given to the extreme sensitivity of chaotic systems. Here is their Impressive Glossary Entries.
The Ghost in the Whirlwind: Butterfly Effect? + What Can God Do in the Physical World?, And other interesting issues
Sprott's Fractal Gallery (Great!!)
In 1961, Edward Lorenz, a mathematician and meteorologist, made an important discovery...
The "Butterfly Effect", or more technically the "sensitive dependence on initial conditions", is the essence of chaos...
A closer look at the Mandelbrot set (The University of Michigan Math Lab).
