9/15/15 Scientific Models 1-3 Pgs IN: How do scientists use models to experiment on things?

What are models? Models are representations of objects or systems. Models are representations of objects or systems.

What are models used for? Models are used to represent things that are too small to see or too large to completely see. Models are used to represent things that are too small to see or too large to completely see.

What are models used for? Models can also be used to explain the past and present as well as to predict the future. Models can also be used to explain the past and present as well as to predict the future.

Types of Models Physical Models Physical Models Mathematical Models Mathematical Models Conceptual Models Conceptual Models (leave about two lines to write info about each of these) (leave about two lines to write info about each of these)

What are physical models? Physical models are models you can “physically” touch. Physical models are models you can “physically” touch.

For example… Model airplanes Model airplanes It is safer and less expensive to discover problems with models than real planes. It is safer and less expensive to discover problems with models than real planes.

What are mathematical models? A mathematical model is made up of mathematical equations and data. A mathematical model is made up of mathematical equations and data.

For example… Predicting the weather Predicting the weather Models about global warming Models about global warming

What are conceptual models? A conceptual model is a system of ideas. A conceptual model is a system of ideas. Conceptual models are composed of many hypotheses, which have been supported through the scientific method. Conceptual models are composed of many hypotheses, which have been supported through the scientific method. Often there is no direct contact with the object. Often there is no direct contact with the object.

For example… Atomic theory Atomic theory

What is a theory? A theory is a unifying explanation for a broad range of hypotheses and observations that have been supported by testing. A theory is a unifying explanation for a broad range of hypotheses and observations that have been supported by testing.

OUT: How is a theory the same/different from a hypothesis?