DEFINITION OF A MODEL :
DEFINITION OF A MODEL A model is a representation containing the essential structure of some object or event in the real world.
The representation may take two major forms: :
The representation may take two major forms: Physical, as in a model airplane or architect's model of a building or
Symbolic, as in a natural language, a computer program, or a set of mathematical equations. Other models may be nothing more than mental images that are developed in an effort to picture something unseen. A good example would be the Bohr solar system model of the atom that is often used by beginning chemistry students. In this model the nucleus is imagined to be like the sun and the electrons are visualized as whirling around the nucleus similar to the planets orbiting the sun.
Characteristics of models :
Characteristics of models Models are necessarily incomplete.
Because it is a representation, no model includes every aspect of the real world. If it did, it would no longer be a model. In order to create a model, a scientist must first make some assumptions about the essential structure and relationships of objects and/or events in the real world. These assumptions are about what is necessary or important to explain the phenomena.
Characteristics of models :
Characteristics of models The model may be changed or manipulated with relative ease.
To be useful it must be easier to manipulate the model than the real world. The scientist or technician changes the model and observes the result, rather than doing a similar operation in the real world. He or she does this because it is simpler, more convenient, and/or the results might be catastrophic.
MODEL-BUILDING IN SCIENCE :
MODEL-BUILDING IN SCIENCE The scientific method is a procedure for the construction and verification of models. After a problem is formulated, the process consists of four stages.
1. Simplification/Idealization.
2. Representation/Measurement.
3. Manipulation/Transformation.
4. Verification.
Therefore the goal :
Therefore the goal Of the scientist is to create simple models that have a great deal of explanatory power.
Examples of Models :
Examples of Models Diagrams –which is a two-dimensional model which is used to show parts and location of a system
Maps-two dimensional models to show sizes and locations of places
Computer simulation-interactive model that is displayed on a computer screen