Modelling and Simulations

Simulations to try out on the Internet

Activity 1


1. The Roller Coaster -
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/index.html
2. The Seat belt Simulator - http://think.dft.gov.uk/think/crashSimulator
3. Active History – (need to log in an use the school log on from history) http://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/free_stuff/renaissance/frameset.htm
4. Break Even Simulator - http://www.tutor2u.net/assets/simulations/breakeven_simulator_1.swf
5. Photo electric effect - http://tre.ngfl.gov.uk/uploads/materials/13151/Photoelectric%20Effect.ppt
6. Banking simulation – (savings simulator calculator) http://www.banksa.com.au/int_bank/default.asp?orc=personal
7. http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/quakes/interactives/makeaquake.html Simulate an earthquake
8. Atomscope – a dynamic particle model (Q drive)
9. Cashflow Example in Excel (Q drive)
10. Moon Lander simulation – land the rocket (Q drive)
11. Piggy – a probability simulation in Excel (Q drive)
12. Physics Simulations at http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/

There are numerous simulations that you can download and try out. Your teacher will ask you to try out two of the simulations. You are to take part in the simulation and then answer the following questions:


  1. Type in the URL or location of the simulation and what it’s name is
  2. Describe the simulation and what it does
  3. Identify the variables that can be changed in your simulation
  4. Identify who would use these simulations in real life
  5. Outline the benefits of using the simulation.


Activity 2


Read TT & Y p 168 - 171
a) Define the following terms: model, simulation, feedback loop

b) Describe the benefits of simulations using the following terminology: safety, economy, projection, visualization of information and replication.

b) With supporting examples describe how computer simulations are used in the real world.

c) GIGO Garbage In and Garbage out is a rule of simulations. To what extent is the accuracy of the model dependent on the data input into the system

d) Explain the risks associated with computer simulations.

e) Using the phrases identified in the syllabus, discuss the social and ethical issues raised by relying on computer simulations in real life.


B Modelling using graphic software
Try modelling your world with Sketchup. Try out the tutorials to model a situation.

What advantages does software like Sketchup offer to designers?



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