SCIENTIFIC
MODELS
COMPLETE THE PHRASE
______ are used by
MODELS
__________ STUDY
SCIENTISTS to _______
phenomena that cannot be
easily seen or detected.
WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC MODEL?
Why do scientists use them?
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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 atom 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
• Conceptual models help us
understand big ideas by
showing the important
parts and how they work
together - like drawings or
map of an idea
• Example: Food web
model, plant growth
model
MATHEMATICAL/
COMPUTER MODELS
• These use math equations,
graphs or formula to represent
how things work.
• Uses computer data or programs
simulating real-world system.
• Examples: formula for population
growth, equation predicting how
something falls, budget
spreadsheets
SIMULATION MODELS
• Simulation models help us
practice, test, or predict in a
virtual way – saving time,
money, and sometimes lives.
• Examples: rocket launching,
testing bridge structures,
effects of strong typhoon
USES OF MODELS
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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
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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.
