ERIC Number: EJ817503
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0807
EISSN: N/A
Synchronization of Oscillators: An Ideal Introduction to Phase Transitions
English, L. Q.
European Journal of Physics, v29 n1 p143-153 Jan 2008
The spontaneous synchronization of phase-coupled, non-identical oscillators is explored numerically via the famous Kuramoto model. The conditions for synchronization are examined as a function of the coupling network. I argue that such a numerical exploration provides a feasible way to introduce the topic of phase transitions early in the physics curriculum. Furthermore, this approach can be used to familiarize undergraduate students with the notions of emergence and universality. (Contains 6 figures and 2 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Text Structure, College Science, Laboratory Equipment, Physics, Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts, Models, Equations (Mathematics)
Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/EJP
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A