Practice question · Put in order
Order the stages of the modeling cycle described in this lesson.
- Observe a phenomenon and identify the quantities that matter
- Refine the model wherever prediction and measurement disagree
- Solve the model, analytically or numerically
- Compare the predictions with experiment
- Abstract it into a mathematical model, usually differential equations
Hints
- The cycle begins in the world, passes through mathematics, and returns to the world.
- Refinement is triggered by a disagreement, so it can only come after the comparison.
Show the answer
- Observe a phenomenon and identify the quantities that matter
- Abstract it into a mathematical model, usually differential equations
- Solve the model, analytically or numerically
- Compare the predictions with experiment
- Refine the model wherever prediction and measurement disagree
Why
Observe, abstract, solve, compare, refine, and then round again. The loop is what keeps physics honest: a model that is never compared with measurement is mathematics, not physics, however elegant its equations.
Practise Physics as Applied Mathematics
The app has 6 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Mathematics I is free to start.
More questions on Physics as Applied Mathematics
- Sort each physical quantity by whether it is obtained by differentiating or by integrating.
- A 3 kg mass hangs on a spring of stiffness k = 48 N/m. Using omega equal to the square root of k over m, what…
- A spring of stiffness k = 200 N/m is stretched from 0 to 0.2 m. The work done is the integral of kx with…
- Newtonian mechanics was superseded a century ago and is what NASA used to reach the Moon. Why is that not a…
- Newtonian mechanics was superseded by relativity and quantum mechanics, and engineers still use it to build…
- Complete Wigner's observation.