Experiment vs Simulation
Experiments and simulations are often used to science and engineering to test and verify concepts in question. So, what are the fundamental differences between them? Here is how I see it.
Experiments are performed in a real-world context, while simulations are run under the most ideal conditions. Now, we all know that things in real life are not perfect, but simulations assume these “perfect” conditions. For example, the temperature distribution in a solid object is almost never perfectly uniform (meaning the temperature is the same at all points inside the object) in reality, but in order to simplify a problem in heat transfer, an assumption of uniform temperature distribution is made. Simulations often make simplifications and assumptions like these.
It is fairly difficult to perform large-scale tests in a space environment.
Experiments are usually performed in order to collect data that is representative of a real-life system, and analyze the data afterwards. For example, someone who is interested in seeing how well various insulations work on a pipe can use each of the different insulations in normal everyday use of the pipe, collect data on how well the pipe was insulated for each insulation, and interpret the results. This is what an experiment can be like. Experiments are arguably more accurate than simulations in the sense that they are performed under real-world conditions, and we as people who live in this world usually care about how things work in the real world, not in an idealized perfect setting.
After these descriptions of what experiments and simulations are and how they differ, when are simulations helpful? In settings that are difficult to access in real life, such as outer space. Spacecraft missions are often rehearsed in simulations of a space setting because it is rather difficult to run an experiment of such a large scale in outer space.
Hopefully this sheds a bit of light on what I think the main differences are between experiments and simulations. Have a great day!
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