Building scale models
Let's begin this section by clarifying the meaning of the title. By scale model we do not mean a physical scale model like that of an airplane. We mean a computer model in which all the relevant physical parameters are in appropriate proportion relative to the real system it is meant to simulate. In this sense, a scale model may include representing physical objects to scale, but it goes well beyond this simple visual aspect; it must also, in some sense that we'll make more precise soon, scale the physics correctly.
Scaling for realism
Why is scale modeling important? Correct scale modeling is necessary for a simulation to replicate realistically the behavior of a system that is being modeled. Having the correct physics ...
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