Scientific Model

A scientific model is...

• A complete and perfect copy of a real thing.

• A way to make something difficult easier to understand.

• A new type of experiment that always proves a theory.

• A toy that looks like a real thing but has no reason.

Why do scientists model the solar system much smaller than it really is?

• Because the Sun and planets are actually very small.

• To trick other scientists into thinking the planets are close together.

• Because they don't know the real size of the planets.

• To make the model fit inside a classroom and be easier to study.

What makes a model a physical model?

• You can only see it from far away.

• It can be drawn on paper.

• You can touch and hold it.

• It is a perfect copy of the real thing.

(True / False) Models are supposed to look the same as the real thing.

• True

• False

Why would a map that shows everything NOT be a useful map?

Why do scientists model the solar system so much smaller than the real thing?

• To trick other scientists into thinking the planets are close together.

• Because they don't know the real size of the planets.

• Because the Sun and planets are actually very small.

• Because it is easier to use and explain than the real thing.

(True / False) Models can improve and change with new data.

• True

• False