Solutions of the Ortvay Rudolf International Competition in Physics: Phase-Transition in Collective Aggression (1991/22 Problem)

Abstract

This paper is the third in a series of published solutions 1 , 2 discussing problems of the Ortvay Rudolf international competition. The problem treated below is an exercise in building a qualitative model for complex systems, applying statistical physics methods. Accounting for the simplifications, it is also possible to express corrections in the results due to otherwise neglected properties. The problem is appropriate for university students, especially for future physics teachers, as it helps to demonstrate the power of using physical reasoning in interdisciplinary fields.