1. DEVELOPING AND USING MODELS IN SCIENCE

2. Role of Models in Science
Scientists use models to represent their current understanding of a system ( or parts of a system) under study, to aid in the development of questions and explanations, and to communicate ideas to others.

3. Mental vs. Conceptual Models
Scientists construct mental and conceptual models of phenomena.
Mental models are internal, personal, incomplete, unstable, and essentially functional. They serve the purpose of being a tool for thinking with, making predictions, and making sense of experience.
Conceptual models, the focus of this section, are, in contrast, explicit representations that are in some ways analogous to the phenomena they represent.

4. Mental vs. Conceptual Models
Conceptual models are used in science and engineering to represent simplified structural, functional or behavioral phenomena.
Conceptual models include diagrams, physical replicas, mathematical representations, analogies, and computer simulations.
Although they do not correspond exactly to the more complicated entity being modeled, they do bring certain features into focus while minimizing or obscuring others.

5. Mental vs. Conceptual Models
Because all models contain approximations and assumptions that limit the range of validity of their application and the precision of their predictive power, it is important to recognize their limitations.

6. Student Notes
Mental Models are Models everyone comes up with in their heads to help make sense of ideas
Conceptual Models are physical representations of those mental models
Conceptual Models help us refine and understand our mental models better

7. Student Notes
Conceptual models are used in science and engineering to represent simplified structural, functional or behavioral phenomena
Conceptual models highlight certain features while minimizing importance of others
Conceptual models have limitations that are important to recognize

8. Model Types Student Notes
Conceptual models include:
Diagrams
Physical replicas
Mathematical representations
Analogies
Computer simulations.

9. Diagrams

10. Physical Replicas

11. Mathematical Representations
Ideal Gas Law

12. Analogies

13. Computer Simulations