Is Our Climate Headed for a Mathematical Tipping Point?

Provided by: TED-Ed |Published on: June 10, 2022

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Synopsis

This TED-Ed animated video illustrates the concept of mathematical tipping points using billiards as an example.
The video shows how the chaotic motion caused by slight changes to a billiards table is conceptually similar to how small changes in global temperatures can have massive climate impacts.

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Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics

Authors: Victor J. Donnay

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The video uses animated diagrams to convey key concepts.
There are questions, additional resources, and discussion prompts that accompany the video.

Prerequisites

Students over 13 years old can create a free account to save their answers and participate in discussion boards.
Teachers can create a free account to customize the lesson and view student work.
The video assumes students have a strong foundational understanding of geometry.
In the Dig Deeper section, the link to the Nature article summary and the link to the Bill Nye videos are broken.

Differentiation & Implementation

In a math course, students can create their own mathematical models for how the billiard ball would move on a circular table from different starting points, as described in the video. The Dig Deeper section includes multiple links to programs that can help students digitally explore these types of models.
In a science course, students can gather additional evidence to decide if or when they think we will reach a climate change tipping point. Students can then present their findings to the class.
Other resources about tipping points include this video by Our Changing Climate and this course by Climate Science.

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Is Our Climate Headed for a Mathematical Tipping Point?

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

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