Re: Random (was The NABT controversy)
Moorad Alexanian (alexanian@UNCWIL.EDU)
Thu, 05 Mar 1998 12:02:24 -0500 (EST)At 11:08 AM 3/2/98 -0400, David Campbell wrote:
>>Mathematical modeling by computer simulations are used in physics to study
>>very simple systems--e.g. the existence of solid-liquid phase transitions in
>>hard spheres (disks). Such models, albeit primitive, do illustrate
>>fundamental features expected of real atoms, e.g. argon. Are the models you
>>are indicating equally successful? I doubt it.
>
>I'm not sure how to compare how successful they are. Any suggestions?
Computer simulations in physics bring forth new knowledge that cannot be
gotten by analytical studies of the mathematical model. One criterion for
success in simulations is how well the models bring forth the underlying
physics contained in the model itself? I do not know how a material
description of biological objects by means of simulations can bring forth
the notion of life, for instance.
Moorad