Re: [Phys-l] nonlinearity (was: flow)

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

Hi all-
	One of the handiest examples of breakdown of uperposition -however 
you want to play it - is the large amplitude motion of a pendulum.  The 
dramatic point of breakdown is when the amplitude gets so large that the 
bob goes over the top.
				Regards,
					Jack







On Mon, 22 May 2006, John Denker wrote:

> 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
>
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