ICT Gyan

Information and Communication Technology

Standard 10:
ICT in Science, Mathematics, Modeling and Simulation

Q 1

What are the benefits of ICT in Science? Give examples.

The use of Computers, the associated Hardware, Software and other digital equipment allows ICT to be used in Science in the following areas:

Collection of Scientific Data: Using ICT tools such as the Internet, email, newsgroups, blogs and conferencing, the collection of data is faster, easier and more accurate. This improves the quality of results.
Example: Computer controlled equipment can be used to directly record and store real time measurements.

Presentation: Instead of an oral explanation or text from a book, a visual presentation makes concepts easier to understand. Changes can be easily understood using tools such as Spreadsheets or Graphs.
Example: The Structure of the Atom can be more easily explained using a PowerPoint presentation.

Demonstration: In Science many experiments cannot be demonstrated live. However using ICT one can easily understand these experiments. Computer Simulations are used extensively for demonstration of various concepts.
Example: The study of Volcanoes, the human digestive system, or our Solar System becomes easy using ICT tools.

Prediction: Since collection of data becomes easy using ICT tools, we can use this data to predict events. The existing data can be extrapolated to understand things for which there is no direct information available.
Example: ICT is used extensively in Weather Prediction and Remote Sensing applications.

Interactive Education: Understanding scientific concepts becomes easy when interactive methods are used. Students can interact with the Computers and its software and easily grasp complex scientific topics.
Example: Most educational software provides teaching in an interactive way.

Q 2

What are the benefits of ICT in Mathematics? Give examples.

Since the computer is capable of performing a large number of complicated calculations in a short time, it is easy to use ICT in learning Mathematics. ICT is used in Mathematics in the following areas.

Use of GUI: The use of a GUI provides a quick way to visually study the effect of changing values or parameters in a given calculation.
Example: A Spreadsheet can be used to solve equations.

Observing Patterns: The use of Computers and Spreadsheet software allows us to observe the effects of changing values. These varying values can be then studied for invariance and covariance.
Example: Using Geogebra, we can draw a geometric figure and then study the effect of changing the lengths of the sides or of the angles.

Observing Links: The use of Computers and Mathematics software, allows us to put formulae, graphs and spreadsheets of data in a program and display all simultaneously. By changing values we can observe the connection between them.
Example: In Geogebra we can input two equations and plot them in the Graphical View. The connection between these two equations will then be shown graphically.

Visualizing images: ICT has several tools which allow one to manipulate diagrams dynamically. 3-D figures are difficult to visualize and the use of Computers greatly simplifies things.
Example: A 3-D image of a Cuboid can be used to solve Pythagoras’ theorem.

Exploring Data: By using Computers a student can work with real data that can be represented in different ways. Students can take part in online surveys for collecting information and exploring it in a graphical way.

Q 3

Define Modeling.

A Computer Model is a digital representation of a real life system. Using mathematical formulae and graphics programs, a virtual version of a real world system can be created. For example Computer Models of a ship can be built. This can be viewed in 3-D on the Computer with a facility to Zoom and rotate in selected areas. This allows us to study which Computer Model is best and then decide to build a real ship.

Modeling thus allows us to reduce the cost of designing as it is impractical to build several real ships and choose one, but it is easier to build several computer models and then select the best one.

Q 4

Define Simulation.

Simulation is the technique of studying the behavior of a real world system by building a computer version of it. The use of a simulator also begins with building a Computer Model of a Real life system. One or more Variables of the Mathematical Model is changed so that we can study its effect.

For example the laws of physics relating to fluid dynamics can be programmed in the Model of a ship. The user can then change variables such as speed or weight of the ship and study the stability of the ship under different situations.

Q 5

Compare modeling and simulation.



Differences:

Modeling

Simulation


1

A Computer Model is a digital representation of a real life system. Using mathematical formulae and graphics programs, a virtual version of a real world system can be created.

Simulation is the technique of studying the behavior of a real world system by building a computer version of it. The use of a simulator also begins with building a Computer Model of a Real life system. One or more Variable of the Mathematical Model is changed so that we can study its effect.



2

For example, Computer Models of a ship can be built. This can be viewed in 3-D on the Computer with a facility to Zoom and rotate in selected areas. This allows us to study which Computer Model is best and then decide to build a real ship.

For example, the laws of physics relating to fluid dynamics can be programmed in the Model of a ship. The user can then change variables such as speed or weight of the ship and study the stability of the ship under different situations.




3

A model is considered to be static because it does not change.

A simulator on the other hand is considered to be dynamic because the variables that govern the performance of the model change.




4

A computer model tries to represent a real life situation.

A simulation can also be used to study imaginary or impossible situations. (eg life on Mars)




Similarities:

(A) Both computer modeling and simulations are computer applications which represent a real world or imaginary system.
(B) Both computer modeling and simulations help designers to save time and money.

Q 6

Explain the benefits of Modeling and Simulation.

Since both modeling and simulation involves building Computer Models, rather than real ones, they result in a huge savings in cost.

Modeling and Simulations are cheaper, faster and easier than making and testing different real life models.

Modeling and simulations can be used repeatedly without having to re-build models.

The efficiency of the person using M&S techniques and also the organization improves.

Since these techniques are flexible and dynamic, they can be used for simulation of complex situations.

Unexpected behavior will also show up as the use of M&S techniques allow us to perform testing of the system under extreme conditions.

Q 7

Advanced stuff: (Not to be studied)
What is invariance and covariance?

Invariance refers to the property of objects (quantities) being left unchanged by symmetry operations.
Covariance refers to equations which do not change even after a change of the coordinate system.
Contravariance refers to equations whose form changes after a change in the coordinate system.

These terms come from a branch of Mathematics and Physics called Lorentz transformations.

These terms also occur in Computer Programming where they refer to different types of variables.