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Newton's laws as an interpretive framework in system dynamics
Author(s) -
Hayward John,
Roach Paul A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
system dynamics review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.491
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1099-1727
pISSN - 0883-7066
DOI - 10.1002/sdr.1586
Subject(s) - inertia , system dynamics , dominance (genetics) , dynamics (music) , newton's laws of motion , computer science , statistical physics , classical mechanics , physics , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , chemistry , acoustics , gene
This paper proposes an interpretative framework for system dynamics models using concepts from Newtonian mechanics. By considering the second derivative form of a model, it is shown that Newton's three laws of motion have their equivalent in system dynamics, with forces between stocks being determined using the loop impact method. The concepts of mass, inertia, momentum and friction are explored as to their usefulness in understanding model behaviour. The Newtonian framework is applied to two standard system dynamics models—inventory–workforce and economic long‐wave—where their behaviour is analyzed using force dominance on the stocks. Results show improved intuitive understanding of system behaviour compared with existing dominance methods, particularly for models with exogenous effects, oscillations and many loops. The framework is commended for further exploration. Copyright © 2018 System Dynamics Society