C OM PL EX S YS TEMS

Sa

m Foreman Fall 2010

Phys 194, Behavior of Complex Systems 1

Complex Systems & Chaos Theory

A complex system is typically considered to be any system which is composed of primarily independent networks that interact (non-linearly) to produce chaotic or irregular dynamical behavior. Typically, these systems are characteri ed by their sensitivity to initial conditions, as well as having vast amounts of heterogeneous components that are extraordinarily responsive to the conditions which they are sub!ected to. "nfortunately# however, due to the incredibly complex and, oftentimes, unpredictable nature of said systems, the resulting physical phenomena and emergent dynamics make them terribly hard to understand, let alone study. According to wikipedia, a dynamical system is said to be chaotic if it satisfies the following$ %. &t must be sensitive to initial conditions, (so that initially nearby points can evolve 'uickly into very different states), a property sometimes known as the butterfly effect, and (. &t must be topologically mixing, and ). &ts periodic orbits must be dense.

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*oreover, complex systems are also typically identifiable (as opposed to regular dynamical-systems) by a property known as period doubling, which is a bifurcation in which the system emerges to a new behavior with twice the period of the original system, which is then again doubled resulting in a 'uadrupling of the systems original period, and so forth. +ubse'uently, it has become widely accepted that a ma!ority of complex systems fit into one of three categories$ ,haotic systems (as outlined above), ,omplex adaptive systems (which are not only complex but also adaptive, in that they have the capacity to change and to learn from experience), and -onlinear systems, which are not sub!ect to the principle of superposition, and whose behavior can.t be explained in terms of the behavior of its. parts.

Features & Examples of Complex Systems

As a result of the inherent complexity of such systems, scientists have come up with a list of features that are (for the most part) representative of chaotic and or complex/adaptive systems, and may be used as identifying factors when studying systems whose behavior and/or dynamics are relatively hard to understand. According to 0ikipedia, The "niversity of *ichigan.s ,enter for the +tudy of ,omplex +ystems, and +tephen 0orlfram.s A -ew 1ind of +cience, these features may include, but are not limited to$ Phys 194, Behavior of Complex Systems 3

%. 2ifficulty in determining boundaries (. ,omplex systems may be open %. And are fre'uently far from energetic e'uilibrium, even though there may be pattern stability. %. ,omplex systems have a memory %. 3ecause complex systems are dynamical systems that change with time--a systems history and prior states oftentimes have an influence on present and future states. (. ,omplex systems may be nested %. This implies that, in certain circumstances, one grandiose complex system may be composed of smaller and smaller systems which are comparable in complexity. ). ,omplex systems often have a dynamic network of multiplicity %. &n which, local networks have innumerable interactions that are simultaneously connected with other long-rage areas of a given system. 4. ,omplex systems may produce emergent phenomena

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%. 5r, behavior that is deterministic, but that may also have properties that can only be studied at a higher level. 6. ,omplex systems often have relationships that are non-linear and that contain feedback loops %. This means that small discrepancies in initial conditions may cause a large effect (oftentimes known as the butterfly effect), a proportional effect, or even no effect at all. This is different from linear systems, in which, cause and effect can almost always be identified, and in which effect is A70A8+ directly proportional to cause. Also, both negative (damping) and positive (amplifying) feedback are always found in complex systems. &n this class alone, & have been introduced to material which & was previously unaware existed. 0e have studied a wide range of topics, covering ,haotic *ap 2ynamics (through attempting to predict the chaotic water wheel, and mapping the -8T stock market data), Attractors (bifurcations, catastrophes, and rare events), a concept referred to as 9Adaptation to the :dge of ,haos; in which we studied how self-ad!usting systems can change their dynamical behavior in order to avoid chaos, and how entropic forces play a role in this process, ,ellular Automata and ,onway.s <ame of 7ife, Turtle <raphs and how they can be used to model the growth of a plant, the incredibly complex world of =ractals, and in particular the *andelbrot set, -eural -ets and the applications of

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complex systems science within the human body, and in particular, the brain, singular motion and dynamics which experience a point singularity (human limb motion), +ymbolic dynamics and how :psilon *achines can be used to predict future data that may result from a given system, as well as genetic algorithms and the evolution of species, and the incredibly fascinating topic of resonances in linear, nonlinear, and chaotic systems. All in all, & have found this class to be incredibly stimulating, and & believe it is fair to say that through your in-class demonstrations and presentations--& have been exposed to concepts and ideas that are at the cutting edge of modern technological research. This class truly helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary research in terms of achieving a common goal, and it also beautifully illustrated incredibly complicated topics in a format that was easy-tounderstand, and that also has real-world applications previously unparalleled by any science class & have had the fortune to have taken thus far. &n conclusion, from this class, & am left with a much greater appreciation for the world of complex systems research, and will undoubtedly pay closer attention to this field of science, and will also seriously consider going into this type of research in my undergraduate career, and will undoubtedly pursue further classes on this topic. This course has been an incredible learning experience which has opened my eyes to a world of science & never knew existed

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Works Cited
%.0eaver, 0arren (%>4?). @+cience and ,omplexity@. American +cientist )A$ 6)A (Betrieved on (CCDE%%E(%.) (.Bocha, 7uis *. (%>>>). @,omplex +ystems *odeling$ "sing *etaphors =rom -ature in +imulation and +cientific *odels@. 3&T+$ ,omputer and ,ommunications -ews. ,omputing, &nformation, and ,ommunications 2ivision. 7os Alamos -ational 7aboratory. -ovember %>>>. ).Fasselblatt, 3oris# Anatole 1atok ((CC)). A =irst ,ourse in 2ynamics$ 0ith a Ganorama of Becent 2evelopments. ,ambridge "niversity Gress. &+3- C6(%6?D6CA. 4.,illiers Gaul, ,omplexity and Gost *odernism http$//www.ama on.com/,omplexity-Gostmodernism-"nderstanding-,omplex+ystems/dp/C4%6%6(?D> 6.Adami , ((CC(). @0hat is complexityH@. 3ioessays (4 (%()$ %C?6E>4. doi$%C.%CC(/bies.%C%>(. G*&2 %(44D>D4

Phys 194, Behavior of Complex Systems