Random Growth - Many structures in our environment were created by processes of random growth. Common examples include: neural cells, the shape of a germ colony, the layout of eye capillaries, and the propagation of lightning. These random structures are complex in characterized, a fact that gives them a graceful appearance. After understanding concepts like random walk and probability, the student can then cope with questions that are related to random growth, such as the characteristics of aggregation's creation and the formation of highly-complex structures from simple building blocks. These questions and others are attempted in the "Random Growth" study module. This module is based on the following lab, which introduces the student to a visual model for the development of a random aggregation, while allowing for continuous observation of each of the steps in the process of formation. The "cluster model" is controlled by diffusion (DLA - Diffusion Limited Aggregation), such that, in each step, a single block joins the cluster. The student performs active research throughout the operation by controlling the parameters that define that process of formation, such as the manner in which spaces are filled. The student can also control other important parameters, such as growth speed and the scale of display. Exploiting these options, the student can follow both micro processes, by watching the discrete formation of the cluster (when using larger scales and lower speeds), and macro processes, by following the different stages in the development of the cluster as a whole (when using smaller scales and higher speeds). The student can also switch from the micro to macro methods during the process, thus continuously following the formation of the aggregation.

Click here for help with operation of the applet.

---

---