[Phys-l] nonlinearity (was: flow)

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

Michael Edmiston wrote:

> It seems to me that having examples [and counterexamples] 
> is good thing to help students see the difference.  

Yes.

> I think there is a similar situation with the superposition principle. 
> It happens so often that students wonder if there is anything that 
> doesn't follow the SP.  Are there truly cases where "2+2 comes out 3 or 
> 5?"  Some examples sort of exist in biology. 

Don't forget the physics examples!!!!!!!

IMHO this goes right to the core of what modern physics is.

Salient examples include
 -- clouds
 -- lasers
 -- electrons in atoms, and electrons in metals
 -- ducks on a pond

This is discussed in detail, with illustrations, at
 http://www.av8n.com/physics/wave-add.htm