Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld model

The Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld model, also known as the sandpile model, is a mathematical framework used to study how complex systems naturally reach states of balance and sudden change, called "self-organized criticality." Imagine dropping grains of sand onto a pile; as it grows, small avalanches may occur when the pile becomes too steep, releasing energy and reshaping itself. This model helps scientists understand how systems—from earthquakes to stock markets—maintain stability but can also experience unpredictable, large-scale events due to their internal dynamics.