Scientific Modeling
“Progress in science proceeds in fits and starts. Some periods
are filled with great breakthroughs; at other times
researchers experience dry spells.
Scientists put forward results, both theoretical and
experimental. The results are debated by the community,
sometimes they are discarded, sometimes they are modified,
and sometimes they provide inspirational jumping-off points
for new and more accurate ways of understanding the
physical universe.
In other words, science proceeds along a zig-zag path
toward what we hope will be ultimate truth, a path that
began with humanity’s earliest attempts to fathom the
cosmos and whose end we cannot predict.”
From The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
What is a “Scientific Model”?
At its very core, science is the
discipline of making models of
reality that allow us to understand
and make predictions about the
world that we live in, the world
around us.
These “Scientific Models” are
created from observations and/or
experiments.
This data from observations and
experiments should always be from
“actual reality” and not from
opinions, bias, or virtual reality.
These models of “reality” are constantly
tested and refined in the scientific
community.
In fact, the highest ideal of science
is to prove these “models” wrong.
Conversely, if after repeated attempts to
refute the model, no one has proven it
wrong, we can be fairly certain that it is
probably right and can be used to make
predictions.
Models are of central importance in all of science.
Examples, such as the billiard ball model of
a gas (left), the Bohr model of the atom
(link below), Quantum Theory, the double
helix model of DNA, and the Theory of
Evolution are only a small part of the larger
group of ideas and presentations that are
called “Scientific Modeling”.
How to Build an Atom
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
What is a scientific model?
A model is a representation of an object or
system.
Models are used in science to help explain how
something works or to describe how something
is structured.
Models can also be used to make predictions or
explain observations.
Models are never exactly like the real thing.
Three basic types of models:
Physical: Models that are meant to look like the
thing that they are representing.
Examples: toy rocket or plastic skeleton
Mathematical: Models that are made up of
numbers, equations, or other forms of data.
Example: Punnett Square
Conceptual: Models that represent systems of
ideas or compare unfamiliar things with familiar
things
Examples: Cell Theory, Evolution.
What are benefits and
limitations of scientific models?
Scientific models are useful because they can represent
things that are very small, large, complicated, things
that no longer exist or that don’t actually have a
physical representation other than as an idea.
Examples: dinosaurs, a cell, natural selection
Through modeling, scientists may even discover things
they haven’t thought of before.
Example: recreating dinosaurs through fossils
helps scientists better understand them
Models can even be a type of hypothesis that can be
tested.
Example: “concept” car
What are benefits and limitations of
scientific models?
The main limitation of scientific models is that they are
only models. Though they may be very close to that
which they model, they are not the real thing.
Example: A Punnett Square can show you the probability
of having a child with blue eyes…but the model is just
that, a model. You will have to see what color eyes
your children have once they are born.
Some of the most important “Models” we use
are what are called “Scientific Laws”.
A description of how a natural phenomenon will occur
under certain circumstances. A law TELLS how things
work…they are statements of what WILL happen.
Examples:
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
The Law of Conservation of Energy
.
Another model that is used in
science is the Hypothesis
An explanation (scientific model) of one or more
phenomena in nature that can be tested by
observations, experiments, or both.
In order to be considered scientific, a hypothesis
must be falsifiable (preferably in an If….
Then…. form), which means that it can be
proven to be incorrect.
Hypotheses
Sometimes a hypothesis may be
incorrect. Maybe more information is
needed. Maybe you need to approach
the question from a different angle.
Scientists use hypotheses to find new
answers so that their scientific
knowledge can continue to grow.
Theories
A scientific theory is an explanation that ties together
many hypotheses and observations.
Theories are conceptual models that help organize scientific
thinking. They are a model that scientists can use to
predict what MIGHT happen.
Examples:
Cell Theory (all living things are
made up of cells)
The Theory of Evolution
The Heliocentric Theory of the
Solar System
Scientific Models in this class
In this science class, you will be expected to
create your own models of various
concepts that we study through the year.
In this way, you can be “scientists” yourself,
utilizing the experiences from the labs,
lectures, and reading to understand the
fundamental workings of the world and
hopefully be able to make predictions
(the Unit tests) based on that model.
Scientific Models in this class
But first, in each unit, you will need to
learn the terminology that will be
used to construct each model.
Then, using that terminology, you can
begin to piece together a conceptual
framework that allows you to
understand whatever concept or
principle we are studying at the time.
You will make a “Scientific Model”.
Scientific Models and Labs
Labs are a special situation in our science
classes
You need to first learn the terms and figure
out the scientific model that we might be
working with.
The Lab will then be a chance to
disprove (falsify) the scientific model,
or to find out that it can be used
successfully to predict what might
happen in the real world.