Chaotic Dynamics
An Introduction Based on Classical Mechanics

A clear introduction to chaotic phenomena for undergraduate students in science, engineering, and mathematics.

Tamás Tél (Author), Márton Gruiz (Author)

9780521547833, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 August 2006

428 pages, 304 b/w illus. 28 colour illus. 11 tables 150 exercises
24.4 x 17 x 2.2 cm, 0.68 kg

'…extremely engaging and very well suited for undergraduate students with basic training in classical mechanics… The innovative illustration scheme is one of the highlights of the book, particularly for establishing a clear correspondence between phase space behaviour and configuration space behaviour. In my opinion this is a book as no other for undergraduate chaos education.' Adilson E. Motter, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University

In the past few decades we have come to understand that even motions in simple systems can have complex and surprising properties. Chaotic Dynamics provides a clear introduction to these chaotic phenomena, based on geometrical interpretations and simple arguments, without the need for prior in-depth scientific and mathematical knowledge. Richly illustrated throughout, examples are taken from classical mechanics whose elementary laws are familiar to the reader. In order to emphasize the general features of chaos, the most important relations are also given in simple mathematical forms, independent of any mechanical interpretation. A broad range of potential applications are presented, ranging from everyday phenomena through engineering and environmental problems to astronomical aspects. Chaos occurs in a variety of scientific disciplines, and proves to be the rule, not the exception. This book is primarily intended for undergraduate students in science, engineering, and mathematics.

Introduction
Part I. The Phenomenon: Complex Motion, Unusual Geometry: 1. Chaotic motions
2. Fractal objects
Part II. Preparatory Concepts: 3. Regular motions
4. Driven motions
Part III. Investigation of Chaotic Motion: 5. Chaos in dissipative systems
6. Transient chaos in dissipative systems
7. Chaos in conservative systems
8. Chaotic scattering
9. Applications of chaos
10. Epilogue, outlook
Part IV. Miscellaneous: 11. Appendices
12. Solutions to problems
13. Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Fluid mechanics [PHDF], Nonlinear science [PBWR]