LATTICE SIMULATION OF LEAKY FAUCET DYNAMICS

We adopt an Ising-like model in order to simulate the dynamic evolution of drops falling from a leaky faucet. The time intervals between successive drops are measured, and return maps are constructed and compared with experimental results, displaying periodic, intermittent and chaotic behaviors. The computer strategy to deal with this problem is also described. In our simulation, only a van der Waals-like attraction, the surface tension and the earth gravitational field are taken into account, besides the fluctuations allowed by the Monte Carlo dynamics. Since we succeed in reproducing most of the observed complex behavior, our results indicate that only these physical ingredients may be enough to formulate a good theoretical model for this system, under a macroscopic, continuous point of view.