Scientific Models PDF

COMPLETE THE PHRASE ______ are used by __________ to _______ phenomena that cannot be easily seen or detected. SCIENTIFIC MODELS  WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC MODEL? Why do scientists use them? 1 2 3 It is a...

COMPLETE THE PHRASE ______ are used by __________ to _______ phenomena that cannot be easily seen or detected. SCIENTIFIC MODELS  WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC MODEL? Why do scientists use them? 1 2 3 It is a Visual way of Used to describe representation of linking theory with and explain a an idea, an object experiment, and phenomena that or even a process guide research by cannot be or a system being simplified experienced representation directly MODELS CAN REPRESENT EXAMPLE 1 Objects that are too small to see 1 Model of an aom or cell 2 Objects that are too big to see 2 Model of the planets 3 Objects that no longer exist 3 Model of a dinosaur 4 Objects that have not yet been invented 4 Prototype models 5 Events that occur too slowly to see 5 Model of mountain formation 6 Events that occur too fast to see 6 Model to predict an earthquake 7 Events that have yet to happen 7 Models of weather system DIFFERENT TYPES OF MODELS 1 Physical Models 2 Conceptual Models Mathematical Models 3 /Computer Models 4 Simulation Models PHYSICAL MODELS Smaller and simpler representations of the thing being studied Tangible and often three- dimensional Examples: Skeleton, Globe, Map CONCEPTUAL MODELS Tie many ideas together to explain a phenomena or event. Mental models that help to understand abstract concepts. Example: Atom model, molecular model  MATHEMATICAL/ COMPUTER MODELS Sets of mathematical equations and principles that take into account many factors to represent a phenomenon. Usually done on computers and extremely prevalent in physics and engineering Examples: Trajectory of spacecraft, Maxwell’s equation to telegraphic cmmunications SIMULATION MODELS Use algorhithms and equations to simulate behaviors overtime Example: Weather forecasting, predicting the spread of diseases BUILDING A MODEL Scientists start with a small amount of data and build up a better representation of the phenomena they are explaining, or using for prediction as time goes on. These days, many models are likely to be mathematical and are run on computers, rather than being a visual representation, but the principle is the same.  USES OF MODELS 1 2 3 TEST IDEAS MAKE AND TEST USE FOR PREDICTIONS COMMUNICATION In testing scientists’ ideas, it Predict the future communicate is much easier to like trying to observations and work with a determine what ideas to other model than with a types of changes people; help whole system we can expect as people visualize carbon dioxide in ideas or abstract the atmosphere concepts. rises  USES OF MODELS 4 5 6 REPRESENT THINGS BUILD SCIENTIFIC SAVE TIME, MONEY, represent things KNOWLEDGE AND LIVES that are very Help illustrate and working and small or very explain scientific testing with large; theories; can be models can be Can help picture changed or safer, quicker, and things in mind replaced as new less expensive information is than using the real learned thing LIMITATIONS OF MODELS 1. DETAILS - cannot include all the details of the objects they represent. For example, maps cannot include all the details of the featuresof the earth such as valleys, mountains, etc. 2. APPROXIMATIONS - include some approximations as a convenient way to describe something that happens in nature. Approximations are not exact LIMITATIONS OF MODELS 3. ACCURACY - In order to make models simplistic enough to communicate ideas, some accuracy is lost. For example, ball and stick models of atoms do not show all the details that scientist know about the structure of the atom.