Dynamical Systems

Abstract

A dynamical system is a mathematical way of describing a system that changes. The basic observation of dynamical systems is that the forces are simpler than the motions. The classic example is Newton’s description of motions of bodies under gravity. The forces are extremely simple: bodies attract with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them. Yet the motions caused by these forces are extremely complex, resulting, for instance, in the braided rings of Saturn.