Simulation facts for kids

This image is a simulation of what a black hole might look like. No black hole has ever been photographed.

A simulation is a way of seeing a thing happen without it actually taking place in the same way. A simulation can be used to predict what might happen without doing it, in case it is dangerous or too expensive or difficult. It can also be used to show people what will happen next, or what happened in the past. It can also show what people believe is happening in a place or time where it is impossible to know what really happens.

There are research institutions just devoted to simulations, like, e.g., The George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation or NEES.

Simulations are very useful all over the world, because in a simulation things can be controlled that might not be easy to control in real life. They can use or smaller versions of an object or system for testing or practice. They can often use smaller versions of things, like space ships or rooms, to simulate the real thing. They can also use a safer thing in place of a thing that is dangerous, like when astronauts practice in a swimming pool rather than in outer space. Astronauts also practice in simulations of the moon before they went and landed there, and in simulations of spaceships that move the way real spaceships do, so they can get used to it. Simulations often use computers or television. Computers are used to make simulations of what a spaceship's route might be on the way to the moon, to help plan the mission.

Video games

One type of video game is called simulator games". These games let the player simulate doing different things. For example, in the game Theme Hospital, players perform simulated surgery. SimCity lets players design and build their own simulated city.

Images for kids

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  Human-in-the-loop simulation of outer space

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  Visualization of a direct numerical simulation model.

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  Motorcycle simulator of Bienal do Automóvel exhibition, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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  3DiTeams learner is percussing the patient's chest in virtual field hospital

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  Car racing simulator

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  A soldier tests out a heavy-wheeled-vehicle driver simulator.

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  Simulation of airflow over an engine

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  A military flight simulator

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  A ship bridge simulator

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  The grenade launcher trains using a computer simulator

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  Firing Room 1 configured for Space Shuttle launches

See also

In Spanish: Simulación para niños