Idealization

An idealization is a model of reality that does not take into account known facts. Depending on the problem, certain facts are not included in the considered model to solve the problem at all to be able to represent (simplification ), or facts concisely (concentration). The process of mapping the reality in a model is referred to as modeling.

Each physical model is an idealization, since interactions are excluded with the environment or be based solely on rms values.

As an example of different hierarchies of the idealization of reality, the earth is considered. The planet Earth can be assumed for the calculation of the ecliptic as a ground point in the gravitational field of the sun. Must be accepted at least as a homogeneous sphere expanded to determine the position on the earth, the earth on the other hand. A more realistic model of the Earth is the geoid.

Other prominent models are the ideal gas, the black body, the rigid body and the laminar flow.

• Physics