Lorenz, Edward
Published: March 7, 2010, 9:15 pm
Updated: March 7, 2010, 9:15 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Edward N. Lorenz.
Edward N. Lorenz (1917-2008), an American meteorologist noted for his pathbreaking descriptions of the transfer of energy in the general circulation of the atmosphere. His book, The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere (1967) featured one of the first complete descriptions of atmospheric general circulation, including the equations governing atmospheric energetics. Computer programs and models developed later would use Lorenz's mathematical formulas to improve weather predictions. He formally introduced the notion of uncertainty and chaos into weather forecasting. In that regard, Lorenz is famous for his statement of the butterfly effect. Lorenz's theory was that an event as small as a butterfly flapping its wings in China could change the weather in the United States a few days later. This effect was possible because the butterfly moved a little bit of air, that moved more air, and so on, until the moving air reached the other side of the world. The butterfly effect, or the "sensitive dependence on initial conditions", is the essence of chaos.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Lorenz, Edward". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 7, 2010; Last revised Date March 7, 2010; Retrieved May 21, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Lorenz,_Edward>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Edward N. Lorenz.
Edward N. Lorenz (1917-2008), an American meteorologist noted for his pathbreaking descriptions of the transfer of energy in the general circulation of the atmosphere. His book, The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere (1967) featured one of the first complete descriptions of atmospheric general circulation, including the equations governing atmospheric energetics. Computer programs and models developed later would use Lorenz's mathematical formulas to improve weather predictions. He formally introduced the notion of uncertainty and chaos into weather forecasting. In that regard, Lorenz is famous for his statement of the butterfly effect. Lorenz's theory was that an event as small as a butterfly flapping its wings in China could change the weather in the United States a few days later. This effect was possible because the butterfly moved a little bit of air, that moved more air, and so on, until the moving air reached the other side of the world. The butterfly effect, or the "sensitive dependence on initial conditions", is the essence of chaos.
Further Reading
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