Introduction

An important aspect of reality we have not grappled with yet is time. This module put us face to face with a situation where time is of the essence. We will also explore the benefits of changing our coordinate system for Cartesian (horizontal and vertical positions) to polar (radius and angle).

Learning outcomes

This module will help you do the following:

• Model periodic phenomena (oscillator models)
• Model a multi-agent system
• Employ polar coordinates (with angles in radians instead of degrees)
• Animate a visualization as a sequence of frames
• Incite phase synchronization (through oscillator coupling)

Warm-up

Newspaper article on fireflies.

Warm-up assessment

After reading the article, elaborate on at least three other (natural or technological) phenomena in which, intuitively, you imagine synchronization to be desireable. Explain for which one why do you think it is important that multiple independent elements achieve synchronized actions amongst themselves and what obstacles or challenges you foresee for such a synchronization process.

Concepts

After this module, you should be familiar with the following concepts:

• Polar coordinates
• Periodic event
• Multi-agent system
• Coupling
• Synchronization

Remember that you can always look concepts up in the glossary. Should anything be missing or insufficient, please report it.