UNVEILING THE
SCIENTISTS
UNSEEN -
AND THEIR
Grade 7 Chemistry
Learning Competency
MODELS 1
What comes to your mind
when you hear the word
MODEL
Can you share examples of
models you have
encountered in your daily
lives?
How these models help
represent and explain the
real-world objects or
phenomena?
MODEL
MODEL
• Models are simplified representations of
complex real-world systems or processes.
• Models provide tangible way for scientists and
students to visualize and conceptualize things that are
too small, too large, too complex, or too distant to
observe directly.
Why it is important
to learn how
scientists use
models?
Activity: Vocabulary
Model Matching
An instrument or device to perform a
specific task or function.
Observabl Something that can be seen, detected,
e or measured directly.
Understan To comprehend the meaning or nature
d of something.
A representation or simulation of a
Tool real-world object, system, or
phenomena.
Activity: Vocabulary
Model Matching
An instrument or device to perform a
specific task or function.
Observabl Something that can be seen, detected,
e or measured directly.
Understan To comprehend the meaning or nature
d of something.
A representation or simulation of a
Tool real-world object, system, or
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC
CONCEPTUAL
MODELS MODELS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHYSICAL MODELS
COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
HYBRID MODELS
CONCEPTUAL MODELS
• These are qualitative, abstract representations of a
system or process.
• Conceptual models often use diagrams, flowcharts, or
verbal descriptions to convey the key components and
relationships.
• Examples include the lock-and-key model of enzyme-
substrate interactions or the food web model in ecology.
CONCEPTUAL MODELS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• These models use mathematical equations, algorithms, and
numerical simulations to represent and analyze a system.
• Mathematical models can be used to make predictions, test
hypotheses, and optimize processes.
• Examples include the Lotka-Volterra equations for predator-
prey dynamic or the Black-Scholes model for pricing financial
options.
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHYSICAL MODELS
• These are tangible, scaled-down representations of a real-
world system or object.
• Physical model can be used to study the behavior and
properties of a system in a controlled environment
• Examples include wind tunnel models for studying
aerodynamics or scale +models of buildings for architectural
design.
PHYSICAL MODELS
COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
• These are computer-based simulations that use complex
algorithms and numerical methods to model the behavior of a
system.
• Computational model can incorporate mathematical
equations, empirical data, and theoretical principles to make
predictions and test hypotheses.
• Examples include climate models for studying global weather
patterns or agent-based models for simulating social and
economic systems.
COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
HYBRID MODELS
• These models combine two or more of the above approaches,
integrating different types of representations and techniques.
• Hybrid models can leverage the strength of various modeling
approaches to provide a more comprehensive and accurate
representation of a system.
• Examples include coupled climate-economic models that
incorporate both mathematical and computational
components.
• One of the most well-known examples of a scientific
model is the solar system model.
• This model depicts the arrangement of the planets,
moons, and other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
By studying this model, scientists can better
understand the gravitational forces ta work, the
movements of the planets, and the overall structure of
our solar system. This knowledge, in turn, helps us
make sense of the larger-scale dynamics of the
universe.
• Another example is the DNA Model, which represents the
double-helix structure of the genetic material that carries the
instructions for life.
• This model has been instrumental in unraveling the
mechanisms of inheritance, gene expression, and the
fundamental building blocks of living organisms. By studying
this model, scientists have gained invaluable insights into
the mechanisms of life, paving the way for advancements in
fields such as genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.
• Another example is the Weather Forecast Models.
These complex mathematical representations of
atmospheric processes and patterns help meteorologists
predict the weather by stimulating the interactions
between various factors, such as temperature, pressure,
and moisture. While weather forecasting is not an exact
science, these models have become increasingly
accurate, enabling us to better prepare for and respond to
changing weather conditions.
• In each of these examples, the scientific models serve as
powerful tools for understanding and explaining the
underlying phenomena that shape our world.
• By simplifying and abstracting the complex realities of the
natural world, these models allow scientists to test
hypotheses, make predictions, and ultimately deepen our
knowledge of the universe we inhabit.
• It is important to recognize that scientific models are not
perfect representations of reality; they are simplifications
that aim to capture the essential features of a given
phenomenon. As our understanding of the world evolves,
these models are often refined, updated, or even replaced
by more accurate and comprehensive representations. This
iterative process is a hallmark of scientific progress, as we
continuously strive to better understand the intricacies of
the physical, biological, and environmental systems that
govern our existence.
Model Analysis Activity
Present the class with a new example of a scientific model,
such as:
• The Plate Tectonic Model
• The Food Web Model in Ecology
• The Atomic Model (Bohr Model, Quantum Mechanical
Model)
Model Analysis Activity
Divide the class into small groups and provide
each group with the new model example (or
have them research it themselves)
Model Analysis Activity
Instruct the groups to discuss the following questions:
• How does this model fit the characteristics of scientific models you’ve
identified?
• What are the key simplifications or abstractions made in this model?
• How does ths model help scientists visualize, analyze, and make predictions
about the phenomenon it represents?
• How might this model be revised or improved over time as new evidence
emerges?
• What is the importance of this model in advancing scientific understanding
of the topic?
