Using the Metal Content of Simulated Galaxies to Understand Galaxy Evolution

 

In recent decades, simulations of galaxy formation and evolution have become invaluable tools for understanding our Universe. The current simulation landscape encompasses a wide range, from modeling individual galaxies to the large-scale structure of the cosmos, while simultaneously incorporating the physics of stellar feedback, AGN feedback, chemical enrichment, gas accretion, outflows, and more. However, each simulation employs slightly different assumptions, leading to diverse predictions for galaxy properties. Understanding the specific choices made in calibrating these models is essential for distinguishing between different implementations. This talk will investigate the implications of these choices on galaxies, with a particular emphasis on the evolution of metallicity. The metal content of galaxies can trace the gas flows within them, serving as a direct indicator of the underlying physical processes driving galaxy evolution. Our findings suggest that metallicity is a critical area for exploration that may help constrain future simulation models and provide deeper insights into the physics driving galaxy evolution.