simulation

Everyday

1. A simulation is a copy of a real situation, made on a computer or with models, so that people can study it or practise safely. tree →
2. A simulation can also be a pretend version of something, like a fire drill or a flight simulator. tree →
3. (formal) Simulation can mean pretending, putting on a false show: a simulation of interest. tree →

In the lessons

In science and computing lessons, pupils use simulations to see things that are too big, small, fast, slow or dangerous to test for real: planets moving, volcanoes, the spread of germs, circuits. Pilots train in flight simulators. In maths, a simulation can repeat a random event (like rolling a dice many times on a computer) to estimate a probability. Games like city builders are simulations too. Phrases: «computer simulation», «flight simulator», «run a simulation».

Examples

• We used a computer simulation to see how the planets orbit the Sun. tree →
• Pilots practise emergencies in a flight simulator. tree →
• The fire drill is a simulation of a real fire. tree →
• The simulation rolled a dice a thousand times. tree →
• Scientists run simulations to predict the weather. tree →
• My brother plays a farming simulation game. tree →

Note

Verb: «simulate», adjective: «simulated». A simulation is only as good as its rules: it can be wrong if the model is wrong. Not the same as «stimulation» (exciting or waking something up).