Frustrated Systems
Frustrated systems are physical systems that cannot reach their lowest energy state due to competing interactions. This occurs when different forces or constraints within the system prevent it from settling into a stable configuration. As a result, the system remains in a state of tension or frustration, leading to complex behaviors and properties.
These systems are often studied in fields like condensed matter physics and materials science. Examples include certain types of magnetic materials and spin glasses, where the arrangement of particles or spins cannot simultaneously satisfy all interactions. Understanding frustrated systems can provide insights into various phenomena, including phase transitions and emergent behavior.