Initial Conditions

Institute of Physics eBooks, pp. 3–1

Abstract

Any simulation requires a starting point. We call these the initial conditions. Some initial conditions are simple, some are extraordinarily complex. The simplest ones are often the most interesting, and lead to the clearest understanding of the complex phenomena that follow through calculation. Many final conditions eventually turn into initial conditions for future simulations. In astrophysics, the ultimate initial conditions are probably the beginning of time and the Universe, whatever they were.

Authors 3

1. Simon Portegies Zwart Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

2. Steve McMillan

   Drexel University

   Affiliation as printed

   Drexel University

3. Steven Rieder

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Anton Pannekoek Instituut