A state variable is a quantity used in the mathematical modeling of dynamic systems to describe the system's current state. State variables represent the essential information needed to predict the future behavior of the system based on its present conditions. They encapsulate the system's memory, meaning that knowing the values of the state variables at a given point in time is sufficient to determine the future evolution of the system.
Non-Euclidean geometry refers to any form of geometry that is based on axioms or postulates that differ from those of Euclidean geometry, which is the geometry of flat surfaces as described by the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid. The most notable feature of Non-Euclidean geometry is its treatment of parallel lines and the nature of space.
Positive feedback is a process in which an initial stimulus or change is amplified or intensified, leading to an even greater response. This occurs when the output of a system enhances or increases the effect of the input, creating a loop of escalation. In biological systems, positive feedback can be seen in various processes, such as: 1. **Childbirth**: During labor, the release of the hormone oxytocin leads to stronger contractions.
State-space representation is a mathematical model used in control theory and systems engineering to describe the behavior of dynamic systems. It represents a system by a set of first-order differential (or difference) equations, capturing the state of the system at any given time. This representation is particularly useful for analyzing and designing control systems, as it provides a comprehensive framework for studying systems with multiple inputs and outputs.
Cipher runes are a type of symbolic system used for encoding and ciphering messages, often drawing inspiration from ancient runic alphabets. These runes can be associated with various creative works, including fantasy literature, games, and modern cryptography. They are commonly used in role-playing games and works of fiction to give an air of mystique or to convey hidden meanings.
In classical philosophy and ancient science, water is one of the four primary elements that were believed to make up the fundamental building blocks of the universe. The other three classical elements are earth, air, and fire. This concept originates from various ancient cultures, notably in Greek philosophy, where thinkers such as Empedocles and Aristotle proposed that these elements combined in different ways to form all matter.
"On the Heavens" (Greek: "De Caelo") is a work attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. It is part of his wider corpus of writings on natural philosophy, which includes his thoughts on the nature of the universe, celestial bodies, and the principles governing them.
The history of climate change science is a complex and evolving narrative that spans several centuries. Here’s a brief overview of its key milestones: ### Early Understanding (18th to 19th Century) 1. **18th Century**: The foundations of climate science can be traced back to the Enlightenment. Scientists began to explore the Earth's atmosphere and its effects on climate.
The Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere, held in 1988, was a significant international gathering focused on climate change and its impacts on the atmosphere. This conference brought together scientists, policymakers, and representatives from various countries to discuss the growing concerns about atmospheric changes, largely driven by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. Key topics included the scientific understanding of climate change, its potential effects on ecosystems and human society, and the need for international cooperation to address these challenges.
"Prithvi" is a term derived from Sanskrit that generally means "earth" or "to be firm." In various contexts, it can refer to: 1. **Geographical Context**: In Hindu cosmology, Prithvi is one of the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) that constitute the material universe, representing the physical earth.
Land surface effects on climate refer to the various ways in which the characteristics and conditions of the Earth's surface influence atmospheric conditions and, subsequently, climate patterns. These effects can arise from natural factors as well as human activities. Here are some key aspects of how land surface characteristics impact climate: 1. **Albedo**: The reflectivity of the Earth's surface, known as albedo, plays a significant role in climate.
Earth's energy budget refers to the balance between the energy Earth receives from the sun, the energy emitted back into space, and the energy stored in the system. It is a crucial concept in understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the planet's overall climate system. Here’s an overview of the components of Earth's energy budget: 1. **Incoming Solar Radiation (Insolation)**: The primary source of energy for the Earth is solar radiation.
Atomic clocks are highly precise timekeeping devices that use the vibrations of atoms to measure time. The principle behind atomic clocks is based on the idea that atoms emit or absorb electromagnetic radiation at very specific frequencies when they transition between energy levels. By counting these oscillations, atomic clocks can achieve exceptional accuracy. The most commonly used atoms in atomic clocks are cesium and rubidium.
A clock network is a crucial component in digital circuits and systems, particularly in synchronous digital designs. Its primary function is to distribute a clock signal to various parts of a chip or system, ensuring that all components operate in a coordinated manner. ### Key Features of a Clock Network: 1. **Timing Precision**: The clock network is responsible for providing precise timing signals to different parts of an integrated circuit (IC) or digital system, which helps synchronize operations.
Computus is a term used primarily in the context of calculating the date of Easter in the Christian calendar. Specifically, "computus" refers to the methods and calculations employed to determine when Easter Sunday falls each year. The Computus clock itself isn't a widely recognized term, but it could refer to a conceptual or demonstrative tool that helps visualize or compute the calculations used in determining the date of Easter, which is based on a combination of lunar and solar calendars.
"Individual clocks" can refer to several concepts depending on the context. Here are a few interpretations: 1. **Personal Timekeeping Devices**: It might refer to the physical clocks or watches that individuals use to keep track of time. These devices can range from traditional analog clocks to modern digital watches and smartphones.
The cuckoo clock is a traditional timekeeping device that originated in the Black Forest region of Germany in the 18th century. Its unique design, which features a mechanical cuckoo bird that emerges to announce the hour, has made it a cultural symbol in various contexts. Here are some aspects of its cultural significance: 1. **Symbol of German Craftsmanship**: Cuckoo clocks are often seen as examples of high-quality German craftsmanship and artistry.
Modified Allan Variance (MAVAR) is a statistical tool used to analyze the stability of frequency signals, particularly in the context of oscillators, clocks, and timekeeping systems. It is an extension of the Allan Variance, which is primarily used to characterize the stability of frequency and phase of oscillators over time.
"The Thirteenth Stroke of the Clock" is a mystery novel written by French author Gaston Leroux, published in 1923. The story involves themes of intrigue, deception, and the supernatural, revolving around a series of mysterious events tied to a clock that strikes thirteen times, suggesting something out of the ordinary. The narrative typically follows a character who investigates strange occurrences and uncovers secrets that lead to unexpected revelations.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 2.
    You can publish local OurBigBook lightweight markup files to either https://OurBigBook.com or as a static website
    .
    Figure 3.
    Visual Studio Code extension installation
    .
    Figure 4.
    Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation
    .
    Figure 5.
    Web editor
    . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
    Video 4.
    OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo
    . Source.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact