Phase portrait

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Potential energy and phase portrait of a simple pendulum. Note that the x-axis, being angular, wraps onto itself after every 2π radians.
Potential energy and phase portrait of a simple pendulum. Note that the x-axis, being angular, wraps onto itself after every 2π radians.

A phase portrait is a geometric representation of the trajectories of a dynamical system in the phase plane. Each set of initial conditions is representated by a different curve, or point.

[edit] Examples

Simple pendulum see picture (right). Simple Harmonic Oscillator where the phase portrait is made up of ellipses centred at the origin, which is a fixed point.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Steven Strogatz, "Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos: With applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Engineering", Perseus Books, 2000.
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