Basic Principles.

There are a couple of basic principles that individually or in combination can make systems interesting: feedback, chaos, energy minimization, energy conservation, energy conversion and energy dissipation (as the example system shows).

• Feedback (part of a process influencing an earlier part of the same process)

• Chaos (the system is sensitivity to initial conditions, not predicable with real world precision)
• Energy Conservation (energy remains in the system, possibly converted, but not destroyed or lost)
• Energy Minimization (the system flows down to lowest energy state)
• Energy Conversion (energy transformed from one type to another, such as a ball picking up speed as it rolls down a hill, the conversion can lead to heat that dissipates, not conserved in the system)
• Energy Dissipation (energy is not conserved, buy lost to the system by friction, deformation and heat)

The interaction of the parts of a system can create amazing phenomenon. Generally, the parts of a system feed each other, often feedback occurs. Feedback is where the output of a process feeds back to an earlier stage of the same process. This loop can cause unexpected and chaotic results.

Chaotic systems by definition are sensitive to the initial conditions. While ideally deterministic, chaotic systems are predictable only when exact information is available. In the real world, infinite precision is not feasible; therefore, in the real world chaotic systems are not predictable. This sensitivity to the starting point is the result of small difference being reinforced often by feedback.

Another basic principle of systems is the tendency toward energy minimization. A system whether chemical, gravitational or any conservative force will roll along its energy surfaces following the path of least resistance. An energy surface resembles a mountain range, complete with peaks (energy barriers), valleys (energy minima), and passes (saddle points). The result is a system flows down toward a low energy configuration. This produces many of the most interesting phenomena in nature and technology.

The delicate balance of the basic forces of natures creates the Universe we know. Understanding these principles is a great joy. Learning is what I am all about.

(more special interests)