Limitation

Definition

A weakness or boundary of a model that prevents it from representing or explaining some feature of reality.

Used by OCR

Specification C1.1c · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)

Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)

A feature that a model represents inaccurately or does not represent, restricting what the model can explain.
Revise: Limitations of the particle model

1
When asked for limitations, do not merely describe the usual particle diagrams. State what the model leaves out and explain why that omission matters.
2
When asked for a limitation, identify a feature missing or distorted by the model and then state what the model therefore cannot explain accurately.
3
When asked to identify a model’s limitation, name a specific mismatch with the real system and explain how it restricts the model’s use. Saying only that “all models are limited” gains little credit.

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A feature of a model that prevents it from representing or predicting some aspect of the real system accurately.