why is "science" is full of approximations?

Answer 1

Who knows, 90% of science is guess work sometimes they are right sometimes they are wrong

Answer 2

Science is full of approximations because most data is not exact. It is almost impossible to obtain data without some error. Data is the basis for validating scientific theories with experiments.

For example, if a scientist wanted to measure temperature of a liquid to validate his/her chemical reaction theory, they might use multiple methods to measure temperature. Let's say the scientist recorded the following data (note: the +/- variations are due to the measuring device accuracy or repeatability):

Thermometer in liquid: 35 degrees C, +/ 0.3 degrees

Hand-held, non-contact thermal sensor: 34.8 degrees, + 0.1 - 0.0 degrees C.

From this data, the scientist can say that the temperature is an approximation somewhere between 34.8 and 34.9 degrees C. Using two measuring devices narrowed the error band. Narrowing the error band may allow him/her to validate the theory.

Other approximations are necessary because numerical constants are, in some cases, only possible to get in an approximate manner. An example is the constant, PI, which is approximately = 3.14159. The exact value of PI is indeterminate.

Answer 3

There are two types of formulae Empirical and Mathematical.
The former is base on physical testing or experiment and is an approximation because no two results are exactly the same.
Repeated many times the mean values are inserted and a safety factor introduced.
Mathematical is perfect where does not include an belief or assumption.
On this subject computers don't generate errors.
If errors are produced it is because the software input is wrong where the Systems Analyst was given wrong information.
ie The end user doesn't know his job.

Answer 4

Science is an approximation. Since science is based on observations, it is limited to observations. Science can come up with a model of the physical world. It is a model. As men began to understand more through greater observations, the model is refined, but it still a model. A good example of this is Newtonian physics. It is very useful, but there are limits to its application. Why? Became it is a model or approximation to what is true physical reality. Check out the orbit of mercury and Einstein theory of relativity.

Answer 5

An approximation accepts that there are errors in measurement and observation. It also accepts that by measuring something, you may in fact change it. For example, imagine measuring the temperature of a cup of tea with a thermometer. Putting the thermometer in heats up the thermometer and therefore cools the tea a bit. ie it's a bit cooler as the result of being measured. Also, the thermometer is only accurate to within a few degrees anyway. There wouldn't be any point saying your cup of tea has a temperature of 80.45678 deg C if you're cooling it down by measuring it and your thermometer isn't that accurate. May as well just say it's 80 deg C!

Answer 6

Because in physics (I'm not sure what the question could be said to mean in other field - perhaps the answer would just be the limitations of the data input that others have remarked on.) we do not have a final unified theory that explains everything - and when we do get one that unites general relativity and quantum mechanics it still won't be the last, we'll hope its more accurate and more explanatory in other situations.

I'm a tiny bit confused by the question. Isn't a good but incomplete model of the world better than none at all?

Answer 7

Science is full of approximations because most data is not exact. It is almost impossible to obtain data without some error. Data is the basis for validating scientific theories with experiments.

For example, if a scientist wanted to measure temperature of a liquid to validate his/her chemical reaction theory, they might use multiple methods to measure temperature. Let's say the scientist recorded the following data (note: the +/- variations are due to the measuring device accuracy or repeatability):

Thermometer in liquid: 35 degrees C, +/ 0.3 degrees

Hand-held, non-contact thermal sensor: 34.8 degrees, + 0.1 - 0.0 degrees C.

From this data, the scientist can say that the temperature is an approximation somewhere between 34.8 and 34.9 degrees C. Using two measuring devices narrowed the error band. Narrowing the error band may allow him/her to validate the theory.

Other approximations are necessary because numerical constants are, in some cases, only possible to get in an approximate manner. An example is the constant, PI, which is approximately = 3.14159. The exact value of PI is indeterminate.

Hope this helps!

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

The reason is; for most applications an approximation is good enough. Furthermore, many approximations are quite accurate in an of themselves.

Other reasons are for 'proof-of-concept' kinds of things, others are because the math is so messy that a rigorous treatment just isn't worth it, and still further, there are applications where going further than an approx is just plain overkill.

Answer 9

Because science is about reality, and reality is full of approximations. The only place you will always find 'certainty' is in the theological realm, where people happily ignore reality in favor of feeling safe & sure of themselves!

Answer 10

There are lots of things we don't know precisely: e.g., how some things work; the exact value of certain things. Sometimes it's just much easier, and close enough, to use an approximation.

Answer 11

Observation is inaccurate so derived results are inaccurate. An approximation puts an upper and lower bound on inaccuracy.