Using models to explain complex information
This week’s session was all about how science uses models. Working through what makes a model effective for experiments, and how to make a model to explain complex information. Going over atomic, weather, and population models; we quickly came to grasp how effective models are for physicist, and scientist as a whole.
During this week’s lab the students showed their grasp of this new information while making their own models. Some students made atoms, others computers, and even some biological models. The question was always asked, “What does your model tell its viewer?”. In this way the students got a hands on look at designing a comprehensive model of something in the physical world.
Computational and Mathematical Model
What can scientific model be?
- Material
- Visual
- Mathematical
- Computational
What things do a model have?
- Essential parts
- Accurate in some degree
- Useable
- Agree with evidence
Quantum Model of the Atom
Pros
- Explains all spectral lines
- Accurately describes electron motion
- Makes understandable all compound formations
Cons
- Difficult to depict and understand
- So complex much of the mathematics is impossible
Bohr's Model of the Atom
Pros
- It explains some spectral lines and photo emissions
- It has an understandable and teachable structure, that is accurate to a degree
- It describes bonding for simple compounds
Cons
- It doesn't explain spectral lines of heavier elements
- Its method of bonding doesn't explain chemical structure in more complicated compounds
- It doesn't accurately describe the behavior of elements
Rutherford's Model of the Atom
Pros
- Gives general description of the atom structure with proton and neutrons in the center, and electrons orbiting.
Cons
- It doesn't describe electron behavior
- It doesn't explain photon emission
- No description of how chemical bonds form