The link I found (here) was based on models and how they are a very important part of science. This site defined a model as "any simplification, substitute or stand-in for what you are actually studying or trying to perfect. " Models are seen almost everywhere and a lot of times we don't even know we are using them. For example a map is a model of the city we live in. Models don't have to be complicated, even scientific ones. Most models in and out of science are very easy for us to use and understand. Like the article said "The periodic table is a model people use to predict properties of elements." Science isn't the only place you can find models. You can find models in advertising, architecture, cooking, and many other jobs. For example architects use blueprints as models of what they are building and cooks use a recipe as a model of what they are making.
Now the big question. Why use models?
We use models simply for the reason that they help us understand things better. They cut down or enlarge things that may be too big or too small to see without using a model, examples of these are a model of the solar system or a model of an atom. Models can also be used as a substitute for the real thing when it isn't practical to use the real thing, like a model of an animal or a model of a human that a doctor might use.
(Just a personal note, I found a few examples in the article that I found a little questionable. One example that I found a little strange was one that said that margarine is a model of butter.)
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4 comments:
I liked the definition you had for models and the example of a map being a model for a city. Good job!
Class was way too much fun today. I think we should get sued or something for having that much fun in school. I don't know. :)
i like how you had many examples of models. they really get you thinking about how broad the topic of models can really be. great post!
Yeah that is an interesting example. I like how you covered the general topic of models not just ones used for scientific purposes. It really helped me understand models more in relation to real life situations.
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