Why Do We Use Models in Science

A _____________________ is something that scientists use to represent an object or process

• mass
• matter
• model
• weight

Sal is studying the solar system. He makes a physical model using different-sized foam balls to represent the planets. Which best describes why a physical model is a useful tool for studying the solar system?

• Solar system models can be used to study a system that is too big to study directly.
• A model of the solar system eliminates the need for scientists to study the solar system directly.
• A model of the solar system provides an exact replica of the actual solar system, so scientists can experience what each planet is like.
• A model of the solar system can provide more data about the solar system than direct observations.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which of these is not a model?

• hot wheels/match box car
• action figure doll
• dump truck
• a picture of the inside of humdinger

Facts, figures and other evidence collected

• Pie
• Cake
• Math
• Data

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a model that looks like the thing it represents

• physical model

• Mathematical model

• conceptual model

A model that is made up of mathematical equations and data

• Physical model

• mathematical model

• conceptual model

• runway model

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reason to use a model

• they are fun

• they don't do anything

• to represent things very small or very large

• Rodriguez said.

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If a hypothesis is not supported by the data, the hypothesis is...

• still valuable if it leads to further investigation

• incorrect and, therefore, not valuable

• discarded

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Select all the benefits of scientific models

• Represents ideas or objects that cannot be experienced directly

• Helps us understand the natural wolrd

• Helps us notice patterns and make predictions

• Oversimplify the process

• Creates misconceptions

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The theory of Plate Tectonics is the idea that the Earth's crust has many plates that move because of changes in temperature deep below the Earth's surface. It has changed over time. What would cause the theory to change?

• The addition of new empirical evidence.

• It was a bad theory to begin with.

• If the news ran a story about why it should be changed.

• If a famous scientist said it should be changed.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5