It’s incredible to think about how many elements in nature are examples of fractals. This includes clouds, tree branches, snowflakes, mountain ranges, lighting, etc. Fractals are complex patterns that can repeat infinitely and they are a fascinating thing to study. BBC Ideas devoted an episode to fractals and how they can help you understand the universe. You can watch the video below.
In the video, we learn that the term ‘fractal’ was coined by Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975 in order to help introduce the concept to the public. Mandelbrot had early access to IMB’s computers and used them to create fractal geometric images, which lead to his discovery of the Mandelbrot set.
“What is a fractal, and how can fractals help us understand the universe? Classic examples of fractals in nature are broccoli and snowflakes,” the video description reads. “They can offer a fascinating explanation for how the world works!” Watch it below.
