ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Semi-Lagrangian scheme

Okay kiddo, let me explain to you what a semi-Lagrangian scheme is. Imagine you have a friend who is running in a field. You want to know where your friend will be in a few seconds. One way would be to watch your friend run and estimate their future position based on their current speed and direction.

In a similar way, a semi-Lagrangian scheme is a method used in computer simulations to predict the future location of particles or fluids. First, we take a snapshot of the current state, or configuration, of the particles or fluids we want to analyze. This is like taking a picture of your friend while they are running.

Next, we estimate how the particles or fluids will move based on what we know about their speed and direction. This is like predicting where your friend will be based on how they are running.

Finally, we use this predicted location to determine what the new configuration of the particles or fluids will be. This is like finding out where your friend will be and then drawing a new picture of them in that location.

Overall, a semi-Lagrangian scheme helps us to simulate the movement of particles or fluids over time, and is very important in fields like meteorology and oceanography.