Simulation Practice

1.
A)Light
B)Heat

2.
Two things you need to know in the development of the software is the effect of the inputs on the outputs of the greenhouse. For instance, if the amount of light is changed the outcome of this, like the change in relative humidity, must be known. Also, the properties of the materials used in the greenhouse must be known. For instance, if the amount of light penetration changes between types of glass this should be known, so the adjustments on the amount of light that will be let in will be known.

3.
One advantage to using simulations to design products such as greenhouses is that it allows the user to save money. This is because the user only has to use to the software, rather than test out the product such as the greenhouse and spend money on all the materials and testing time. It also saves the designer time by allowing them to change inputs and materials in the greenhouse very quickly. If they do not have to go to the store and buy the new materials, but just have to select a different material on the drop down list, this will save them time and allow them to use that time in making the greenhouse more efficient.

4.
Simulations of things like this are useful in teaching science because it allows the student to see how the input effects the output. The student will be able to use the software to change the inputs and see their effects, and this will allow them to learn more about the changes and effects of different materials on the outcome of the product. The student also is able to see these changes very quickly, and it reduces the time the student needs to reach conclusions about the input and output. They can use the program rather than create an actual experiment and this will save them time. Also, this program would allow them to design an experiment before they actually try and make it. This would make sure that the amount of error was minimal, because they could use the program to see if the experiment would work. It would also give them data to compare with, to see if the data from their experiment matched the data from the program. This would allow them to see the benefits and downsides of using a computer program to simulate a greenhouse.