Study guides submitted by IB1 students: 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations

These study guides were submitted by IB1 students

Antonis part 1 part 2 | Marios | Christina part 1 part 2 | Athina | Elena

Revision slides for 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations

Download the Gift of Fire revision slides for chapter 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations

IB1 ITGS: Student study guides for 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations

All IB1 students will be assigned some topics of the chapter 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations. You may consult the ITGS Syllabus Blog.

Marios:

• reliability of predictions based on computer models, for example, weather, global warming
• economic effects of the use of models to design and test new products

Antonis:

• security issues involved in military simulations
• social impact of reliance on simulations to examine issues of public policy

Christina:

• responsibility of the designer for accuracy of assumptions underlying the model
• ethical considerations involved in deciding when to use models or simulations to ensure human safety

Athina:

• Key terms – model, simulation, feedback loop
• faulty or hidden assumptions
• extent and effect of the simplification of reality

Elena:

• processing power needed to create complex models
• visualization of information
• correspondence of the model with reality

How NASA is Leading a Revolution in Weather Measurements

[Article from the Earth Observation Magazine]

The weather affects every American, every day. Few phenomena have such widespread impact on people’s personal lives, including their jobs, their recreation, their safety, and their property. When the weather is bad, many activities become more difficult to perform. People who work outside cannot make as much progress. Commercial transportation slows down on the roads, on the waterways, and in the air. Businesses of all kinds are hampered by bad weather. Power plants and energy traders rely on knowledge of the weather to operate their equipment and to deliver power to consumers, government and business. Knowledge of the weather and associated winds allows commercial and general aviation to operate safely through hazardous weather avoidance, and to operate more efficiently through fuel savings. The military operates differently in different kinds of weather, and military systems rely on knowledge of the weather to be effective. Intense weather, such as storms, tornadoes and hurricanes, threatens the safety of people and of property. When all of these factors are taken together, it is easy to see that weather in this country is responsible for the loss of tens of billions of dollars each year. Better knowledge and prediction of the weather will increase economic productivity, improve our nation’s defense capabilities, and save lives.

2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations in the news

Just stay up to date with the articles used in IB1 ITGS class for the chapter 2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations

2.2.5 Modelling and Simulations in the news

Article: Pilots train without taking off

Pilots training in Scotland for a commercial licence are being given the opportunity to fly training flights to almost every airport in Europe – without having to leave the ground.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7185971.stm

Published: 2008/01/14 00:24:39 GMT

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this training method.

Article: Cosmic dust disc to force rethink

IB Year 1 students please read the following article:

Cosmic dust disc to force rethink
Story from BBC NEWS
By Dr Chris Lintott
Co-presenter, BBC Sky At Night, Austin
Monday, 14 January 2008, 14:51 GMT

Please post your opinion about the reliability of computer generated models. Backup your opinion using the article.