Final answer:
Models are simplified representations of real world systems that help scientists gain a better understanding of complex phenomena. They are evaluated based on how well they predict natural phenomena, though accurate predictions do not prove a model to be the only possible one.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main purpose of models is indeed to gain a better understanding of the world. This is because scientific models are simplified representations of real systems, allowing scientists to analyze and understand complex phenomena with more ease.
For instance, models are particularly useful in fields like relativity and quantum mechanics, where conditions are beyond our usual experiences. An essential aspect of a model is that it must be evaluated against real-world observations to see how well it predicts natural phenomena.
However, even if a model's predictions are accurate, that does not necessarily prove the model is absolutely correct or the only one possible; it simply means it is a useful tool for understanding and making predictions about the world.