2020/08/12 by Serge D’Alessio, S. J. D. D’Alessio
Computer Science · #Computational Physics and Python Applications
paper · doi:10.1088/1361-6552/aba76a
Abstract The magnetic pendulum represents an intriguing demonstration of chaotic motion and unpredictability. Because of this it provides an excellent tool to illustrate the challenges associated with weather prediction. Presented in this note are numerical simulations of various paths traced out by the magnetic pendulum which serve to highlight the well-known ‘butterfly effect’. A mathematical model and computer program to solve the equations is provided to allow for further exploration. An analogy between this demonstration and weather prediction is also given.