Chaos: The Science of the Butterfly Effect

The video explores the butterfly effect, a concept suggesting small actions can have large consequences, and its cultural impact. It delves into determinism, phase space, and chaos theory, highlighting Lorenz's discoveries about sensitive dependence on initial conditions. The video explains how chaos limits predictability, affecting weather forecasts and other systems. It concludes with the Lorenz attractor, illustrating the complex structure underlying chaotic systems.

How does the concept of phase space help in understanding dynamical systems?

What is the three-body problem and why is it significant in the study of chaos?

In what ways does chaos theory challenge traditional views of determinism?

What does the text suggest about the predictability of the solar system over long time scales?