Butterfly Effect (Noun)
Meaning
The phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere, e.g., a butterfly flapping its wings in Rio de Janeiro might change the weather in Chicago.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The concept of the butterfly effect is often used to illustrate the unpredictability of chaotic systems.
- According to the butterfly effect, the flapping of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world.
- Small variations in initial conditions, like the butterfly effect, can drastically alter the long-term behavior of a complex system.
- Scientists have found evidence of the butterfly effect in the weather patterns of different continents.
- In complex systems, even a minor perturbation can have far-reaching consequences, exemplifying the butterfly effect.