1980/01/01 by Rudolf Peierls · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Computer Science · #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Computational Physics and Python Applications
paper · doi:10.1080/00107518008210938
openalex publication_date 1980/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Physicists tend to use models of various kinds to aid their understanding of complicated physical situations. The models differ by the degree of simplification or exaggeration they involve, according to the purpose for which they are used. It is suggested that one might distinguish seven different types. Examples of each type are discussed, together with the examples of the kind of confusion that can result if the nature of the model used is misunderstood.