What is a simulation?
BLUF: A simulation is a computational model that imitates a real-world system or process.
A fundamental explanation of what is a simulation?
The Explanation
A simulation is a computational model that imitates a real-world system or process. It uses mathematical equations or algorithms to represent the system's state and dynamics. Given initial conditions and parameters, the simulation program steps forward in time, calculating how the system evolves. This lets researchers "experiment" on the model instead of the real system. For example, climate models simulate the atmosphere's behavior, and physics simulations compute particle interactions. By adjusting inputs and observing outcomes, simulations help us study complex systems when analytical solutions or physical experiments are impractical.