Natural Complexity: A Modeling Handbook

Front Cover
Princeton University Press, May 16, 2017 - Science - 376 pages

This book provides a short, hands-on introduction to the science of complexity using simple computational models of natural complex systems—with models and exercises drawn from physics, chemistry, geology, and biology. By working through the models and engaging in additional computational explorations suggested at the end of each chapter, readers very quickly develop an understanding of how complex structures and behaviors can emerge in natural phenomena as diverse as avalanches, forest fires, earthquakes, chemical reactions, animal flocks, and epidemic diseases.

Natural Complexity provides the necessary topical background, complete source codes in Python, and detailed explanations for all computational models. Ideal for undergraduates, beginning graduate students, and researchers in the physical and natural sciences, this unique handbook requires no advanced mathematical knowledge or programming skills and is suitable for self-learners with a working knowledge of precalculus and high-school physics.

Self-contained and accessible, Natural Complexity enables readers to identify and quantify common underlying structural and dynamical patterns shared by the various systems and phenomena it examines, so that they can form their own answers to the questions of what natural complexity is and how it arises.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Iterated Growth
23
Aggregation
53
Contents
60
Percolation
80
Sandpiles
106
Forest Fires
130
Traffic Jams
154
Earthquakes
174
Flocking
224
Contents
245
Epilogue
275
A Basic Elements of the Python
293
B Probability Density Functions
308
Random Numbers and Walks
321
Lattice Computation
338
Index
351

Epidemics
198
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Natural Complexity: A Modeling Handbook
Paul Charbonneau
Limited preview - 2017
Natural Complexity: A Modeling Handbook
Paul Charbonneau
No preview available - 2017

Common terms and phrases

agents aggregate appendix avalanche average behavior bottom panel boundary Burridge-Knopoff model cars Cartesian lattice cell Chapter code listed code of figure color complex computational defined diffusion displacement distribution dotted dynamical earthquake epidemic equation example fire flocking force forest-fire model fractal fractal dimension Fractal Geometry function ghost nodes global hodgepodge machine horizontal indicated infected initial condition integer Iterated Growth largest cluster lattice nodes line segments logistic map loop matplotlib microscopic moving nearest neighbors neighboring nodes nodal values Numerical Implementation NumPy occupation probability occupied nodes panel of figure parameter particles percolation threshold phase plotted population density power-law propagation Python programming Python programming language random number random walk randomly range sand sandpile sandpile model scale invariance scale-free network Self-Organized Criticality shows simple simulations of figure Small-World Networks snowflakes solar flares speed statistically stationary step structure temporal iteration top panel Traffic Jams vertical walkers wave front zero

About the author (2017)

Paul Charbonneau is professor of physics at the University of Montreal.

Bibliographic information

TitleNatural Complexity: A Modeling Handbook
Primers in Complex Systems
AuthorPaul Charbonneau
Editionillustrated
PublisherPrinceton University Press, 2017
ISBN0691170355, 9780691170350
Length376 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Computers / Data Science / Data Modeling & Design
Computers / Languages / Python
Science / Physics / Mathematical & Computational
Science / Research & Methodology
  
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