Simulation modelling

Question 1

What is simulation modelling?

Answer 1

The use of a program to predict the behaviour of a real life system

Question 2

Advantages of simulation modelling for car crash analysis

Answer 2

• Cheaper as real cars do not need to be physically destroyed
• Safer as nobody is really hurt
• Can explore different scenarios more easily

Question 3

Disadvantages of simulation modelling for car crash analysis

Answer 3

• Model could over simplify the situation
• Bad data errors in formulas will spoil accuracy
• No model is 100% accurate

Question 4

How are weather forecast models created?

Answer 4

Collect data- Collect different measurements from satellites, weather balloons, weather stations, etc. such as humidity, temperature, pressure and wind speed

Derive Model- A model provides a set of mathematical equations fro. the laws of physics which are solved to predict the weather twice a day

Test/Compare- Create what if scenarios to test the model in different situations, compare actual with observed

Question 5

Advantages of simulation modelling for weather forecasting

Answer 5

• Can generate a 6 day weather forecast in an hour
• Predict the path of hurricanes and other severe weather
• Can help farmers and local councils to plan work

Question 6

Disadvantages of simulation modelling for weather forecasting

Answer 6

• 160 million calculations need to be processed so a supercomputer is needed (expensive investment)
• Freak storms and unusual patterns are difficult to predict
• No model is ever 100% accurate