Year 8 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 15

Types of Models in Science

Challenge Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Warm Up

Compare three

Complete the comparison table for the three types of models. Fill in every blank cell.

Feature Physical Conceptual Mathematical
What is it made of?
Give one example
What question does it answer best?
One limitation of this type

Go Deeper

Scenario

CSIRO scientists study the Murray-Darling Basin using all three types of models. They build scale models of river channels, draw diagrams of how water flows between rivers and wetlands, and run equations that predict how much water will reach farms under different rainfall.

(a) Identify the physical, conceptual and mathematical model in this scenario, and state what each one helps the scientists do.

Challenge 3 marks

(b) A single object such as the atom can be studied with all three types of model. Explain why, using the atom as your example.

Challenge 3 marks

(c) A mathematical model predicts that a fish population will keep growing forever, but the real population stops growing when food runs out. Explain what this tells scientists about the model and what they should do next.

Challenge 3 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, why is a model that disagrees with reality still useful to a scientist?

HSCScience · Year 8 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 15 · Challenge Worksheet