1.33. Scientific Modeling http://www.ck12.org
1.33 Scientific Modeling
- Identify properties of useful models in science.
- Describe examples of simple models in physical science.
Did you ever read a road map like this one? Maybe not, but you’ve probably made a sketch of a house or other object
and played with toy cars or dolls. What do all these activities have in common? They all involve models.
What Is a Model?
Amodelis a representation of an object, system, or process. For example, a road map is a representation of an
actual system of roads on the ground. Models are very useful in science. They provide a way to investigate things
that are too small, large, complex, or distant to investigate directly. To be useful, a model must closely represent the
real thing in important ways, but it must be simpler and easier to understand than the real thing.
Q:What might be examples of things that would be modeled in physical science because they are difficult to
investigate directly?
A:Examples include extremely small things such as atoms, very distant objects such as stars, and complex systems
such as the electric grid that carries electricity throughout the country.
Q:What are ways that these things might be modeled?
A:Types of models include two-dimensional diagrams, three-dimensional structures, mathematical formulas, and
computer simulations. Examples of simple two-dimensional models in physical science are described below. You
can see examples of other types of physical science models at these URLs: