What is a Model?
Concept Test
In this exercise, you are to:
• Draft a definition (in writing) of a
“model.” (one minute)
• Discuss your definition with your
partner. (one minute)
• Draft a new definition (in writing),
acceptable to both you and your
partner. (one minute)
Be certain that your definition includes both
what a model is, as well as what it is used
for. The final definition should be a single,
wellwritten sentence. What is a Model?
Solution
A model is a description of a physical system that may
be used to predict or explain the behavior of the
system.
Fundamental principle: Use the simplest model that
captures the important behavior of the system, under
the conditions in which the model will be used.
Note that a good model need not be simple — only as
simple as possible while still capturing the important
behavior of the system. For example, the models that
are used to predict global warming are very
complicated, as they must be to describe the very
complicated Earth climate system.
A model need not be mathematical. While most of the
models you will see in this class are mathematical,
many models are not. A wind tunnel model is a
physical model of a larger object. Animal models (e.g.,
lab rats) are often used to model human physiology. Sign Conventions
Concept Test
i2
i1
R2
–
i3
+
+
+
–
–
R3
For the circuit above, the sign of each circuit
variable will be
1. i1 > 0, i2 < 0, i3 > 0, v2 < 0, v3 > 0
2. i1 < 0, i2 < 0, i3 > 0, v2 < 0, v3 > 0
3. i1 > 0, i2 > 0, i3 > 0, v2 > 0, v3 > 0
4. i1 < 0, i2 < 0, i3 > 0, v2 > 0, v3 > 0
5. None of the above
6. Don’t know Sign Conventions
Solution
Lecture S2: Sign Convention
Answer
1
2
3
4
5
0
5
10
15
20
Number of Students
25
30
The correct answer is #2, which was the most common
response, but still not the majority. Current flows out of the
(+) terminal of the battery, through the two resistors, and back
to the () terminal of the battery. The flow through R2 is thus
to the right, against the chosen sign convention, so i2 < 0.
The current through R3 is down, and therefore with the
chosen sign convention, so i3 > 0. The flow through the
battery must be up, again opposite the convention, so that
i1 < 0. For a resistor, i, and v have the same sign, so
v2 < 0, v3 > 0. Sign Conventions Comfort Level
Concept Test
My comfort level with sign conventions is:
1. Very low — I really don’t understand
how the conventions work
2. Low — I understand the rules to apply,
but it doesn’t make sense to me
3. Moderate — I understand the rules, but
need some practice to be comfortable
4. High — I understand the rules, and they
make good sense
5. Very high — I understand completely,
and could explain the convention to
another student Sign Conventions Comfort Level
Solution
Lecture S2: Sign Convention Comfort Level
Answer
1
2
3
4
5
0
5
10
15
Number of Students
20
25
The average response is better than 3 (moderate comfort
level), but not much more. Still need to work on sign
conventions.
16.01 S2 Concept Questions with Solutions
of 6
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