Relativistic Chaos: Chaos in the 1st Order Post-Newtonian Approximation of the Three-Body Problem

Authors

JJ Campbell, Brigham Young University
Dr. David Neilsen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

relativistic chaos, post-Newtonian approximation, three-body problem

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Chaos. Some say that this word describes the world today. From the point of view of physics, they would be right. If we take “chaos” to mean an extreme sensitivity to initial conditions with exponentially diverging solutions then this world is chaotic on a number of levels, all the way from the structure of bacterial growth in a natural environment to how the solar system interacts, we are stuck in the middle of chaos. Understanding just how small changes affect the future would be very useful. Imagine what could be done if we knew exactly how a disease would spread, where to expect droughts next year, when the market will make the next historic drop, or what the chances really are of an asteroid impacting Earth.

Recommended Citation

Campbell, JJ and Neilsen, Dr. David (2013) "Relativistic Chaos: Chaos in the 1st Order Post-Newtonian Approximation of the Three-Body Problem," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2771.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2771