Path Dependence and Tipping Points

In this video I explain what physicists mean by "path dependence" or "hysteresis" and "tipping points". I go through the common example for hysteresis using the magnetization of a ferromagnet and talk about tipping points in climate models.

A list with tipping points in climate models is here:

Here is the reference about the AMOC that I mention:

Here is the figure from the IPCC report:

#physics #science #climate

0:00 Intro
0:22 Chocolate
2:55 Ferromagnet
5:38 Sequins
5:55 Air Condition
6:26 Tipping Points
7:33 AMOC
9:57 Shellenberger

[HaveANceDay]

Sabine, I love how you tackle these questions in a honest way and very didatic. This is much needed today, because most people like us have an intuition of these tipping points but don't know enough to explain this to someone else who is a negationist.

[nickvanamstel]

My favourite You-Tubers are the ones that attempt to teach complex science concepts in a clear and simple way and Sabine Hossenfelder is one of the very best educators on here. Thank you so much for this and all your videos.

[simran]

Sabine giving off total queen vibes!!! thanks a lot for being my role model !!!

[thetntsheep]

Extremely clear explanation of something I'd never thought about before.

[sgcollins]

The best two things about Dr Hossenfelder's videos are [1] her concision: that I can learn a lot in a short time, and [2] that if I forget what I just learned, I can watch them again.

[MeppyMan]

This was one of the easiest to understand and straightforward videos I’ve seen on this topic. Thank you. Going to share it around.

[domainofscience]

Brilliant explanation! And I'm loving the new backgrounds.

[adriansdigitalbasement]

Sabine, I just found your channel and I'm instantly hooked. I'm in awe of the simple and clear way you can explain such complex things. Plus, you aren't afraid to call people out on their BS. Thank you, the community needs more people like you!

[malik-he]

Sabine and chocolate in saturday morning is just perfect.

[brooksiefan]

High relevance, objectivity, clarity, diversity, wit, depth... she's got it all! Love her videos!

[kenelliott]

A tipping point does not necessarily imply something negative! After watching this video, I passed a tipping point in knowledge and shall never return to my prior lack of understanding ever again! Thank you, Dr. Hossenfelder!

[guycooke]

Sabine, that was masterfully done. I wish I’d had someone like you teaching physics. You not only know your “stuff” but you are an excellent teacher. Please, keep it up.

[michelegianni]

While I knew many of the notions explained in this video, I missed the overall picture. Thank you Doc Sabine. You (and this planet) deserves > 2M subscriptions.

[bitegoatie]

Well done. You broke that down like a chef breaking down a fresh cauliflower - cleanly and swiftly with indigestibles put aside and the good bits recast and put to creative use. Teach on.

[rmehta]

Brilliant!!! Very apt and simply put a complex topic. Two minutes in, I paused and gave it a thumps up. At the end, I wish I could give more thumbs up. Thanks Sabine, for covering this important topic and explaining it in terms understood by non-scientists.

[TheWeatherbuff]

I'm going to add this video to my "great explanations of how this stuff works" collection. I am a meteorologist based in Denver, CO, but I forecast for cities all over the United States. I am very diplomatic with people who want to know exactly how much snow they're going to get... at their house. The exact topic you're covering comes up all the time here in Meteorology Land. I appreciate your video, and your channel. :) Peace.

[blondrew]

Thank you Sabine. You are a fantastic teacher. You make physics fascinating and connect it to day to day experience.

[glennbritten]

Young lady you are incredible, I've always loved math but I stopped studying when I retired but you have instilled in me the urge to really understand Quantum Mechanics, your definitely the best I've seen on Science. Thank you

[contessa-jim]

Yes please! We need more people with influence to get this message home, there's no more time to waste!

[metametodo]

Every now and then you amaze me with what and how you bring on to topic. I'm fascinated by such processes patterns that aren't exposed as much like path dependence.
It's unfortunate in my view how as a society we tend to essentially give attention only to simpler, linear systems.

Not only such non linear systems and their processes are extremely beautifully complex, but reality, be it physical or social, is crowded with systems that aren't as straightforward, and we must understand such differentiated processes to live well in our world.
Thanks you for your work, Sabine.