Chemistry
The Role of Autocatalysis in Chemical Oscillations: The Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction
Quick fact
In the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, bromous acid participates in an autocatalytic step: its production accelerates further bromous-acid production. Bromide later suppresses that pathway, so competing feedback makes concentrations and colour oscillate until the available reactants are depleted.
Why this is interesting
A dish of colour-changing solution can send out rings and spirals even though no organism is directing it. How can a chemical reaction repeatedly switch its visible state instead of simply running down once?