Introduction

Abstract

One of the main things that scientists do is to represent the world. They do so in many different ways, through theories, equations, formulas, diagrams, graphs, photographs, videos, traces, sketches, watercolours, maps, X-rays and more else besides. And they offer us representations of a vast array of different things: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, electromagnetic fields, microbes, beetles, the migration patterns of birds, dinosaurs, weather systems, world economic markets, the rise in global temperatures, tectonic plates, the movement of planets in the solar system, distant galaxies, black holes and the big bang.