# Computer Simulations in Science

> 【EN】Computer simulations were first introduced to scientific inquiry in meteorology and nuclear physics in the period directly following World War II. Since then, they have become ubiquitous – and in some cases indispensable – in a growing number of disciplines in both the natural and social sciences as well as in engineering. In the 21 st century, the list of sciences that make use of computer simulations has grown to include astrophysics, particle physics, materials science, engineering, fluid mechanics, climate science, evolutionary biology, ecology, economics, decision theory, sociology, epidemiology, and even medicine. If we understand computer simulations as scientific instruments, as some philosophers of science have recently suggested, they can be said to be one of the most widely used and versatile instruments in science. … 【中】计算机模拟在二战刚结束时被引入科学研究，最早用于气象学与核物理学。此后，它们在越来越多的学科中变得无处不在，有时甚至不可或缺，涵盖自然科学、社会科学与工程。进入二十一世纪，使用模拟的学科已扩展到天体物理、粒子物理、材料科学、流体力学、气候科学、演化生物学、生态学、经济学、社会学、流行病学乃至医学。

- ID: m13311
- Category: technical
- Domain: 科学方法论

## Definition

计算机模拟最初于二战之后进入气象学与核物理研究，此后在自然科学、社会科学与工程的众多学科中变得无处不在，在某些领域甚至不可或缺。 脚手架作用：- 解析替代：在方程无解析解时推演模型的完整演化。 - 误差排查：沿方程、离散化与代码三个环节逐个排查。 - 实验补充：用参数扫描替代无法实施的真实实验。

## How it works

模拟之所以有认知价值，是因为它能在解析解不可得时把理论模型推演到底：给定方程与初始条件，数值方法逐步算出系统会怎么演化。它的可靠性因而依赖链条上的每一环——方程是否正确、离散化误差是否可控、代码是否正确实现。

## Practice

1) 问清模拟基于哪些方程与假设，它们本身是否可信；2) 检查代码的验证（是否算对了方程）与确认（方程是否对应真实系统）；3) 考察数值误差与参数敏感性；4) 再决定结果能支撑什么结论或政策。

## Use

- 解析替代：在方程无解析解时推演模型的完整演化。 - 误差排查：沿方程、离散化与代码三个环节逐个排查。 - 实验补充：用参数扫描替代无法实施的真实实验。

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