What is Chaos?: Introduction

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	Welcome to the online course "What is Chaos?" We hope you find it a useful and entertaining way to learn about one of the most exciting topics in physical science.
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	In physics, chaos is a word with a specialized meaning, one that differs from the everyday use of the word.
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	To a physicist, the phrase "chaotic motion" really has nothing with whether or not the motion of a physical system is frenzied or wild in appearance. In fact, a chaotic system can actually evolve in a way which appears smooth and ordered.
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	Rather, chaos refers to the issue of whether or not it is possible to make accurate long-term predictions about the behavior of the system.
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	For four centuries in physics, the laws of physics have reflected the complete connection between cause and effect in nature. Thus until recently, it was assumed that it was always possible to make accurate long-term predictions of any physical system so long as one knows the starting conditions well enough.
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	The discovery of chaotic systems in nature about 100 years ago has all but destroyed that notion. After the going through the five lessons of this course, you will understand how and why this is true.
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	In Lesson One, you will learn about the Philosophy of Determinism. This is the underlying belief in physical science that says every cause has a unique effect, and vice versa.
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	In Lesson Two, you will learn about Initial Conditions, which is how physicists refer to the starting measurements of any system. Using the assumed link between cause and effect, the initial conditions are used to make predictions at later and earlier times.
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	In Lesson Three, you'll learn about Uncertainty of Measurement, which is the principle that says that no measurement can be made with infinite accuracy.
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	In Lesson Four, you'll learn how determinism, initial conditions, and the uncertainty of measurements give rise to Dynamical Instabilities, which to most physicists is a term synonymous with Chaos.
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	Finally, in Lesson Five, you'll learn about how chaotic motion may give rise to large-scale ordered structures.
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	We hope enjoy the course and find in useful. When you have completed it, you can consult the Suggestions for Further Reading.
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