Computer Simulation

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

A computer simulation, a computer model, or a computational model is a computer program, run on a single computer, or a network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modeling, of many natural systems in physics (computational physics), astrophysics, chemistry and biology, human systems in economics, psychology, social science, and engineering. Simulation of a system is represented as the running of the system's model. It can be used to explore and gain new insights into new technology, and to estimate the performance of systems too complex for analytical solutions.

Computer simulations vary from computer programs that run a few minutes, to network-based groups of computers running for hours, to ongoing simulations that run for days. The scale of events being simulated by computer simulations has far exceeded anything possible (or perhaps even imaginable) using traditional paper-and-pencil mathematical modeling.

Computer simulation in science. Generic examples of types of computer simulations in science, which are derived from an underlying mathematical description:

o a numerical simulation of differential equations that cannot be solved analytically, theories that involve continuous systems such as phenomena in physical cosmology, fluid dynamics (e.g. climate models, roadway noise models, roadway air dispersion models), continuum mechanics and chemical kinetics fall into this category;

o a stochastic simulation, typically used for discrete systems where events occur probabilistically, and which cannot be described directly with differential equations (this is a discrete simulation in the above sense). Phenomena in this category include genetic drift, biochemical or gene regulatory networks with small numbers of molecules.

Specific examples of computer simulations follow:

Ø computer simulation using molecular modeling for drug discovery;

Ø computer simulation for studying the selective sensitivity of bonds by mechanochemistry during grinding of organic molecules;

Ø computational fluid dynamics simulations are used to simulate the behaviour of flowing air, water and other fluids. There are one-, two- and three- dimensional models used. A one dimensional model might simulate the effects of water hammer in a pipe. A two-dimensional model might be used to simulate the drag forces on the cross-section of an airplane wing. A three-dimensional simulation might estimate the heating and cooling requirements of a large building;

Ø agent based simulation has been used effectively in ecology, where it is often called individual based modeling and has been used in situations for which individual variability in the agents cannot be neglected, such as population dynamics of salmon and trout (most purely mathematical models assume all trout behave identically).

Computer simulations are used in a wide variety of practical contexts, such as:

1. analysis of air pollutant dispersion using atmospheric dispersion modeling;

2. design of noise barriers to effect roadway noise mitigation;

3. flight simulators to train pilots;

4. weather forecasting;

5. forecasting of prices on financial markets;

6. behavior of structures (such as buildings and industrial parts) under stress and other conditions;

7. design of industrial processes, such as chemical processing plants;

8. reservoir simulation for the petroleum engineering to model the subsurface reservoir;

9. robot simulators for the design of robots and robot control algorithms;

10. modeling car crashes to test safety mechanisms in new vehicle models.

Слова для сдачи наизусть:

1. the running of the model - реализация модели / модельного эксперимента

2. to gain new insights - интуитивно понять что-л.; догадаться; осознать

3. to e stimate the perf o rmance of systems – оценить работу систем

4. to derive from … - возникать; происходить из…

5. to solve an equation - решить уравнение

6. fluid dynamics - гидромеханика; динамика жидкостей и газов

7. air dispersion - рассеивание в атмосфере

8. cont i nuum mechanics - механика сплошной среды

9. stochastic simulation - вероятностное моделирование

10. num e rical simulation - цифровое моделирование

11. genetic drift - случайное распространение генетических мутаций в популяции

12. drug discovery - поиск новых лекарств

13. sel e ctive sensit i vity of bonds - (хим.) избирательная восприимчивость связей

14. one dim e nsional model - одномерная модель

15. water hammer - гидравлический удар

16. drag force - сила сопротивления

17. heating and cooling requirement - необходимый объём нагрева и охлаждения

18. air pollutant dispersion - степень рассеяния загрязнителей воздуха

19. noise mitigation - шумопонижение

20. petroleum engineering - нефтепромысловое дело; технология добычи нефти

21. subsurface reservoir - подземное хранилище

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