The Self-made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in NatureFor centuries, scientists have struggled to understand the origins of the patterns and forms found in nature. Now, in this lucid and accessibly written book, Philip Ball applies state-of-the-art scientific understanding from the fields of biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics to these ancient mysteries, revealing how nature's seemingly complex patterns originate in simple physical laws. Tracing the history of scientific thought about natural patterns, Ball shows how common presumptions--for example, that complex form must be guided by some intelligence or that form always follows function--are erroneous and continue to mislead scientists today. He investigates specific patterns in depth, revealing that these designs are self-organized and that simple, local interactions between component parts produce motifs like spots, stripes, branches, and honeycombs. In the process, he examines the mysterious phenomenon of symmetry and why it appears--and breaks--in similar ways in different systems. Finally, he attempts to answer this profound question: why are some patterns universal? Illustrations throughout the text, many in full color, beautifully illuminate Ball's ideas. |
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angle atoms autocatalytic bacteria bands become behaviour bifurcation biological branching patterns bubbles BZ reaction called cellular cellular automaton chemical cluster colour complex concentration convection cells cooperators crack critical crystal cylinder D'Arcy Thompson dendrites develop diffusion dunes edge energy equation equilibrium example film flow fluid foam fractal dimension gene grains grow growth Harry Swinney hexagonal Images instability interactions kind layer length scale liquid look mantle mathematical mechanism minimal minimal surface molecules morphogen nature organisms oscillations oscillatory oscillons parasitoids particles pattern formation pattern-forming perturbation phase Photo phyllotaxis physical Plate population predators Prisoner's Dilemma produced protein random Rayleigh number reaction-diffusion regions regular Reynolds number rolls rotating sand scaling laws seen self-organized self-organized critical shape shell simple slope solution spiral waves spots stripes structures surface tension surfactants symmetry temperature tion Tit-for-Tat turbulent University vesicles viscous fingering vortices wave vector wavelength