Course syllabus

Kaos
Chaos

FMFN05, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2019/20
Decided by: PLED F/Pi
Date of Decision: 2019-03-26

General Information

Elective for: BME4, F4, F4-tf, N4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

The course aims at giving an introduction to chaotic systems, i.e. non-linear systems that are deterministic but with a time development which is not predictable over longer periods. The course should give a possibility to reflect over the fascinating phenomena which may show up in chaotic systems, e.g. strange attractors and in this context a basic comprehension of the importance of fractal geometry, or the posibility that the solar system is instable over a longer time scale.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

Temporally discrete systems. Feigenbaum’s theory of branching. Dependence on initial values. Fractal geometry with various applications. Different definitons of dimensions

Dissipative systems. Systems of differential equations. Phase space and the Poincaré section. Lyapunov exponents and strange attractors. Coupled oscillators and frequency locking.

Conservative systems and the KAM theory. Hamilton's formalism, integrable systems, billiards, area-preserving maps, chaotic motion in the solar system.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Written exam and presentation of a project. Compulsory computor exercise.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Parts
Code: 0109. Name: Chaos.
Credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written exam. Contents: The theoretical part of the course.
Code: 0209. Name: Project.
Credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Presentaion of project. Contents: Project

Admission

Required prior knowledge: Elementary mathematics and mechanics.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: FMF090, FMF092

Reading list

Contact and other information

Teacher: Sven Åberg, sven.aberg@matfys.lth.se
Course coordinator: Andrea Idini, andrea.idini@matfys.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.matfys.lth.se/education/FMFN05