Initial Condition Sensitivity

Initial condition sensitivity refers to how small differences at the start of a process can lead to vastly different outcomes over time. In systems like weather or certain mathematical models, tiny variations—like a slight change in temperature or position—can grow and produce unpredictable results later on. This concept highlights that some systems are highly sensitive to their starting points, making precise long-term predictions difficult. Essentially, small initial differences can have a big impact on what happens later, demonstrating how unpredictability can stem from very subtle initial conditions.