Ising Model and Metropolis Algorithm

Learn how to use the Metropolis algorithm to simulate the Ising model of a ferromagnet in MATLAB.

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This example integrates computation into a physics lesson on the Ising model of a ferromagnet. Exercises are included at the end. Students learn how to implement the Metropolis algorithm, write modular programs, plot physical relationships, run for-loops in parallel, and develop machine learning algorithms to classify phases and to predict the temperature of a 2D configuration of spins.
Note on required products:
MATLAB is the only required product to run the live script, although some of the exercises use Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox, Parallel Computing Toolbox, and Neural Network Toolbox.

Cite As

MathWorks Physics Team (2026). Ising Model and Metropolis Algorithm (https://au.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/62194-ising-model-and-metropolis-algorithm), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

General Information

MATLAB Release Compatibility

  • Compatible with any release

Platform Compatibility

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
Version Published Release Notes Action
1.2.0.0

Added an exercise to parallelize the Metropolis algorithm on a GPU.

1.1.0.0

Updated summary description.

1.0.0.0

Revised based on team review.