Softening is a numerical trick used in N-body techniques to prevent numerical divergences when a particle comes too close to another (and the force goes to infinity). This is obtained by modifying the gravitational potential of each particle as
where is the softening parameter. The value of the softening parameter should be set small enough to keep simulations realistic.
Famous quotes containing the word softening:
“No advance in wealth, no softening of manners, no reform or revolution has ever brought human equality a millimetre nearer.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)
“... that softening influence of the fine arts which makes other people’s hardships picturesque ...”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)