What is Models: Definition and 400 Discussions

A model is an informative representation of an object, person or system. The term originally denoted the plans of a building in late 16th-century English, and derived via French and Italian ultimately from Latin modulus, a measure.
Representational models can be broadly divided into the concrete (e.g. physical form) and the abstract (e.g. behavioural patterns, especially as expressed in mathematical form). Of particular importance in the modern context, conceptual models are central to philosophy of science, as almost every scientific theory effectively embeds some kind of model of the physical or human sphere.
In commerce, a model might instead reference a specific version or configuration of a product offering, rather than functioning as a representation of something else.
In taxonomic settings (e.g. biology, architecture, art) a model is sometimes a particular instance of a set of related entities (species, built structures, artistic compositions) chosen as a convenient reference point around which to build discourse; such a model is almost always chosen to typify some central tendency of the group, exemplify the group's defining characteristic, or reify the group's historical lineage.
Kinds of models include:

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  1. T

    I SR Doppler Effect: Differences in Wave VS Momentum Models

    In his seminal paper on Special Relativity: On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies, Einstein derives a formula for the Relativistic Doppler effect. See this section: § 7. Theory of Doppler's Principle and of AberrationThe formula is: In this Wiki article, the same formula is derived. The...
  2. A

    I Spin Foam models in Loop Quantum Gravity

    Hi all, I fairly basic question about spin foam models in loop quantum gravity. I just want to verify that spin foams represent effectively represent all of spacetime (in a quantum form), and that the idea is that general relativity can be obtained in the classical limit? Not sure if that's...
  3. Luca_Mantani

    A Mono-jet searches for simplified models

    Hi, i am studying Simplified Models for the search of Dark Matter at colliders. In particular there are 2 different kind of models that i am studying that are s-channel and t-channel models. Now, there is something that i don't understand related to the mono-jet process. Here is a paper that...
  4. P

    Abaqus - Boundary Conditions Comparison of two models

    Hi everyone, This is my first time posting here I am looking to get some help with Abaqus, I wish to compare two models and find the residual stress which causes a original model to deform to the other. The deflection between the two models can be calculated by other software. I plan to do...
  5. Edwina Lee

    Misc. Create Molecular Models with Balls & Links - Pros & Cons

    I want to make my own set of molecular models with balls representing atoms and links representing bonds. Anyone knows of a good software to do this? As for the physical model, what bond angles, bond lengths and ball sizes should I create? I could for example leave atoms as round balls and...
  6. C

    B Preon quark models excluded by LHC

    from https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/world-made-up-of-2nd-3rd-gen-particles.883560/#post-5555878 quoting ohwilleke Have you come across this paper in peer reviewed Physical Review D... http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0370269379906671 or...
  7. D

    A Exact solutions of quintessence models of dark energy

    Hi everyone, I got the basic ideas quintessence (minimally coupled) and derived the KG equation for scalar field: $$ \ddot{\phi} + 3 H \dot{\phi} + \frac{\partial V(\phi)}{\partial \phi} = 0 $$ where $$H=\frac{\dot{a}}{a}$$ and $\phi$ is the scalar field. There are various models depending...
  8. L

    A Models of the Real Numbers

    I know that there are several models of the real numbers, some where the Continuum Hypothesis holds, others where it does not. I would like to understand why the usual definition of the reals, limits of Cauchy sequences of rational numbers under the usual absolute value norm, isn't one of these...
  9. V

    A Systematic study comparing cosmological models?

    Hi, my question is if there exists a study systematically comparing different cosmological models in how well they fit the same standard cosmological data sets (CMB, luminosity, BOA, SNe, lensing,...). I can find very little besides LCDM. In the rare case of a comparison, it leads to...
  10. W

    I What differentiates inflationary models from each other?

    How do the different inflationary models different form each other. Is is just the shape of the potential or the number of fields assumed or...?
  11. Kirito123

    Creating an equation that models a scenario

    Homework Statement 5.The small town of Pi-ville wants to construct a road that connects to the Linear Super Highway. The road must provide a route that covers the shortest distance possible from the town to the highway. Write an equation that models the best route for the road. Homework...
  12. DianaHerberg

    B Find 3D Models of Waves | Get Creative with 4D Displays

    I am looking for 3D (or 4D, etc.) images of waves (such as light or sound), but seem to be having difficulty locating such models. Can someone please direct me to this kind of display, or is it not something being currently done?
  13. F

    Understanding The Meaning and Use of Phase Space

    Hi, I am trying to fully understand the meaning and usage of phase space in the various contexts it's used. For example particle physics, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, relativity. Also, there is configuration space, parameter space, and state space. How are all of...
  14. H

    MHB Hidden Markov Models: problem to solve for Master's thesis

    I apologize for asking this actually fuzzy question, but I really hope I can get some useful advice. This year I'm finishing a Master's degree in the field of mathematics. I want to make some research and write a graduate thesis that (perhaps) could be interesting to my potential employer in...
  15. Demystifier

    I A confusion about axioms and models

    Suppose that I have a set of axioms in first-order logic. And suppose that I have several inequivalent models for this set of axioms. And suppose that I want to choose one specific model. To choose it, I need to make some additional claims which specify my model uniquely. My question is the...
  16. A

    Deriving capacitor and inductor models from Maxwell's eqs

    I'm sure the inductor model, i.e. vL(t) = iL'(t)*L follows without directly from Faraday's eq. But even there, with Faraday's equation we think of the changing magnetic field as inducing the voltage in the loop, where in the model it seems the other way around, that is, the voltage increases...
  17. S

    Any models that can predict nuclear reactions?

    Are there any good models, software or codes that can predict the probabilities of nuclear reactions where an atom of a given type strikes another atom of another type with a given energy? Or is this information only obtainable experimentally? To further clarify, I am interested determining...
  18. N

    Why is radio spectrum allocation based on archaic models?

    The FCC's propagation models for the FM broadcast band seem grotesquely inaccurate in some places, where stations can be received that the models say are absolutely out of range. I'm not even talking about DX conditions like ducting or skip, I'm talking about baseline. When I lived in...
  19. F

    The Role of Theories, Models, and Laws in the Scientific Process

    What role do theories, models, and laws play in the scientific process? Is there a clear dividing line between a theory and a law? Are models used in both theories and laws? All theories and laws? Do our best current models perfectly represent reality to the best of our knowledge, or are they a...
  20. Linder88

    State-Space (SS) Formulation for Equations of Motion

    Homework Statement The task is to write the following equations of motion as in equation (2) considering the inputs and outputs as in equation (3) \begin{equation} \begin{cases}...
  21. wolram

    Are modified gravity models viable

    Different things keep popping up in the literature that pose Dark matter and Dark energy are not needed to explain the universe, the latest MOG i have come across is this: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1510.07037.pdf What are the chances that a modified gravity theory will replace the standard model?
  22. W

    "Models" for Relational Tables.

    Hi again, say we are given the relational table: TEAM(TeamID, TeamName, TeamColor, Game, DatePlayed). Question is: how many games can we play, meaning, while preserving the properties of relational tables? This is what I have.We know We know TeamID, TeamName andTeamColor are fixed in any...
  23. marcus

    For myKK, in bounce models what drives prior contraction?

    Big bounce cosmic models, as a research topic, shouldn't be confused with cyclic models where there is a recurrent bounce. The earlier thread by mykamakiri got a bit distracted because of that kind of confusion so I thought I would split off a separate topic just to focus on the question in the...
  24. mykamakiri

    In big bounce models, what drives the contracting phase?

    We know that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. In big bounce (or oscillatory) models of the universe, why does the expansion of the universe end? And what drives the following, contracting phase? Is it possible that dark energy could inverse its action at some point in the...
  25. arivero

    Furey models with Division Algebras

    Just noticed a new article of C Furey not arxived, but readable in SCOAP Phys.Lett. B742 (2015) http://inspirehep.net/record/1342971?ln=es Charge quantization from a number operator Well, it is not new but I have not found a thread mentioning it. It seems to continue the quest from her...
  26. S

    Transgenic Mice Models and Integration of DNA

    I have no experience working with mice models, but why, for example, in pronuclear injection (or even other methods of transgenesis), is the injected gene of interest randomly integrated? In other words, why would the integration site of the DNA not be known or in a targeted region? I apologize...
  27. E

    Additional models to Poisson-Boltzmann equation?

    I'm not sure my question belongs here or in the physics section I'm aware that in addition to the poisson-boltzmann equation, there's also the Debye-Huckel approximation, which is used at low ionic strengths and dilute solutions. I also know that the Stern layer includes the finite size of ions...
  28. A

    Article with good analysis of different models?

    I reading article "The Cosmological Constant and Dark Energy" P. J. E. Peebles, Bharat Ratra http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0207347 They use following sources of density: ## \Omega_{M0}+\Omega_{R0}+\Omega_{\Lambda0}+\Omega_{K0}=1## Next I see " The measurements agree with the relativistic...
  29. H

    Feynman rules for nonlinear sigma models

    Nonlinear sigma models are particular field theories in which the fields take values in some nontrivial manifold. In the simplest cases this is equivalent to saying that the fields appearing in the lagrangian are subject to a number of constraints. Since the lagrangian fields are not independent...
  30. P

    Are there multiverse models with infinte regress?

    I seem to recall a documentary that I watched a few years ago describing the multiverse, with M-theory, as being similar to slices of bread, all next to each other. (Obviously just an analogy for the lay person). And when these two universes next to each other collided, it would create a new...
  31. P

    Self-Contained Models of Big Bang: Explained for Laymen

    Hi, Are there any self contained models of the BB that are "front-runners" as explanations for the big bang? I understand that all models have some problems with them, but which models are currently taken most seriously among working cosmologists, and are there explanations of those models for...
  32. W

    Models of the Reals of All Cardinalities and Equivalence

    We know that different models of the Reals are elementary equivalent but not isomorphic. In the hyperreals, we have that the Archimedean principle does not hold but it does hold in the standard Reals ( i.e., the hyperreals allow for the existence of indefinitely-small and indefinitely -large...
  33. S

    Space Curvature: Friedmann Models Explained

    Currently reading Peter Coles, Cosmology a very short introduction. There is a bit I don't understand. In a section discussing Friedmann Models, and how going on the cosmological principle density of the universe is the same in every place, and therefore space must be warped in the same way at...
  34. M

    What is the volume of air swept out by a moving plywood sheet on a track?

    Homework Statement A rectangular 4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood is fixed to a sled which moves on a track. The face of the plywood is perpendicular to the direction of the track. The sled is pushed a distance of 3 inches. What is the volume of air swept out during this motion. Homework Equations...
  35. T

    Klein Gordon Equation in Quintessence Models

    Hello! I'm studying various dark energy models, and as a part of the project, I need to be able to numerically solve the Klein-Gordon (KG) equation and the Friedmann Equation (FE) in the context of a canonical scalar field. I wasn't sure whether or not this belonged here or in the computational...
  36. C

    Intersection between exponential models?

    Homework Statement Here is a math problem I would to make sure I have understood correctly. a) Billy goes to be bank. He deposite 500 dollars in his account. The bank offers a interest of 2 percent a year. Sally goes to the bank 4 years later.She deposite 250 dollars at the same bank...
  37. phyzguy

    Why Models Run Hot: A Discussion of the IPCC's Overestimation

    I think this is now a legitimate topic. If not, I apologize. I would like to hear comments on the paper "Why models run hot", discussed in this article. Do people on this forum agree that the IPCC models overestimate the amount of positive feedback in the Earth's climate system.? Or is this...
  38. Q

    Empirical Model Development: Examples of Cases & Mechanisms

    Hello all, Could someone offer an example of case where an empirical model was developed first due to absence of theoretical models and later (possibly years later), the theoretical models caught up and were able to explain the mechanistic detail that the empirical model could not? Thank you, QP
  39. Superposed_Cat

    Efficently drawing 100 000 models in 3D without lag

    Hi all, I'm currently working on a 3D game and am in the city development phase (its done procedurally). The issue is is that once I get to 22 000 buildings (80 000-100 000 models roughly) it causes a drop to 5fps(frames per second) (even with collision detection off). I'm using instancing to...
  40. L

    Do you know Dragan Hajdukovic's models work?

    Hi, I have been reading a number of papers by Dragan Hajdukovic's on his work related to models for dark matter. How mainstream / well regarded is his work / models?
  41. M

    MHB Relationship between the Turing Machine and RAM Models

    Hey! :o Could you tell me which is the relationship between the Turing Machine and RAM Models??
  42. bohm2

    Pilot wave models and "no cross" rule

    From my understanding, average trajectories based on weak "measurements", obey the 'no-crossing rule'. These average trajectories strongly resemble the single-photon trajectories predicted by Bohmian mechanics: For instance compare these average trajectories...
  43. arivero

    Supersymmetric Composite Models

    I have just found a review on this topic by Volkas and Joshi http://inspirehep.net/record/21549?ln=esBut it is very old... 1988. I was just in the middle of the undergraduate. I know that the topic got some push from Seiberg dualities, but that is still the XXth century. Does anybody know of...
  44. C

    Software that models atmospheric hypersonic flight

    Hi, I would like to model various projectiles and capsules being fired at hypersonic speeds by a coilgun or equivalent mass driver. Does anyone know of any programs that could simulate a launch or at least parts of the flight? (ie. setting the atmospheric density for a given region, calculating...
  45. L

    Transfer Matrix Method for 2D Ising & Other Models

    You can use transfer matrix method for 2d Ising model. Is there a list of models for which this method could be of use. Such as classical Heisenberg perhaps? Or Potts?
  46. I

    How to Find Most Current Physics Models

    Hi Everyone, So I think this is a bit of a loaded question, but how do professional physicists find/learn the most recent models? I have been trying to find the correct search terms on web of science for the past few days, but so far I have only found papers dealing with experimental or...
  47. Serious Max

    Word problem with exponential and quadratic models

    Homework Statement Homework Equations — The Attempt at a Solution Confused with (d) a little. Rocket explodes at ##h=3.85262 ## miles ## -16t^2+1400\sin(\alpha)t=3.852624*5280## ## \alpha=\arcsin\left(\dfrac{3.852624*5280+16t^2}{1400t}\right) ## But what do I do...
  48. W

    Models for Determining Volumes and Surface Areas

    When we generate solid by rotating a curve around an axis, we use "slabs" of cylinders to approximate the volume of this solid of revolution. When we want the find the surface area, we instead use "slabs" of conical frustums (ie. the slope of the differential length of curve is taken into...
  49. Superposed_Cat

    XNA 3d how get models primitives

    Hi ll, I am currently working on 3d in xna. i have ismple collision detcetion working but I want to do triangle by triangle collision detection.How would I get a models base triangles? I have this adapted from online to fit in with my game: public struct TriangleVertex {...
  50. S

    Xenopus and Zebrafish as Models of Human Disease

    For zebrafish and Xenopus, are there currently any effective gene knockout strategies? From literature, these two organisms have effective gene knockdown strategies in practice. Thanks for any help.
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