Lorenz attractor facts for kids
The Lorenz attractor (also called Lorenz system) is a system of equations. Edward N. Lorenz formulated the equations as a simplified mathematical model for atmospheric convection. The equations are ordinary differential equations, called Lorenz equations. They are notable for having chaotic solutions for certain parameter values and starting conditions. In particular, the Lorenz attractor is a set of chaotic solutions of the Lorenz system which, when plotted, resemble a butterfly or figure eight.
The notion of butterfly effect is coupled with that of the Lorenz attractor. Lorenz first used the phrase in a speech he gave in 1972.
Images for kids
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A sample solution in the Lorenz attractor when ρ = 28, σ = 10, and β = 83
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A recreation of Lorenz's results created on Mathematica. Points above the red line correspond to the system switching lobes.
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A solution in the Lorenz attractor plotted at high resolution in the xz plane.
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A solution in the Lorenz attractor rendered as a metal wire to show direction and 3D structure.
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A visualization of the Lorenz attractor near an intermittent cycle.
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Two streamlines in a Lorenz system, from ρ = 0 to ρ = 28 (σ = 10, β = 83).
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Animation of a Lorenz System with rho-dependence.
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Animation of the Lorenz attractor in the Brain Dynamics Toolbox.
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See also
In Spanish: Atractor de Lorenz para niños
