Advanced Physics with Morna

Welcome back, it's lovely to see you all again. This week we will be discussing 'chaos theory'. It is an advanced topic but once again I'll be teaching it in a way that even the thickos will be able to grasp.

Chaos theory can be used to mathematically describe many seemingly random events such as weather patterns, plate tectonics, population growth and butterfly induced hurricanes. Yes, you read that right, hurricanes are generally started by a rare brazillian butterfly commonly known as the 'Lorenz Butterfly'. Though seldom seen in the wild they have been extensively modelled using supercomputers. If they get angered by say, some of their rain forest getting chopped down then one beat of their wings can set about a chain of events that culminates in a devastating hurricane.

But that is the abstract. Here is the science, pay attention girls. When you are out shopping at say, Monsoon, and you find a fabulous top reduced to £3.99 in the sale. It may seem like an amazing bargain but you never factored in chaos theory did you? After the buzz of the purchase has subsided and your heart has slowed back down to it's base level again, you start thinking, "hmm I don't have a skirt to go with this". One skirt later and your thinking, "I don't really have shoes to go with this outfit". A chain of events is set in motion which predictably ends in a whole new outfit complete with matching accessories. Suddenly you've spent £76 and all because of that £3.99 bargain.

And that darlings, is chaos theory in a nutshell. A random event in finding a sale item, the chain of other apparently random purchases and the complete outfit materialising from that random chaos. I have to say I just adore chaos theory.

This lesson takes you to roughly the start of your honours year. Next week I have a special surprise for you. To take you through your honours year and beyond I am delighted to announce that Dr Physics himself, our very own science expert Nat will be taking the lesson. Hurry back now, I know Nat is almost wetting himself with anticipation. Mmmmmwah.