Scientific Theories and Laws

Scientific Theories and Laws

SC.7.N.3.1  Recognize and explain the difference between theories and laws and give several examples of scientific theories and the evidence that supports them. (DOK 3)​

Multiple Choice

Clara is working on an essay about science and what sets it apart from other disciplines. Which of the following statements about science should NOT be included in her essay?

• Scientific claims should be investigated by other scientists.

• Scientific theories, once they are supported by evidence, do not change.

• Sometimes accepted scientific theories are disproved or modified.

• Scientific theories should be reasonable and logical.

Multiple Choice

Scientific knowledge is capable of lasting a long time. What makes scientific knowledge hold up so well over time?

• As new evidence is found, scientific knowledge is able to be revised.

• Scientific knowledge is published online, so it is easy to read.

• Scientific knowledge is well researched so it never changes.

• Once established, scientific theories are never questioned.

Multiple Choice

Scientists build on the work of other scientists, but scientific knowledge can change. Which of the following would most likely cause scientific ideas to change?

• conducting an experiment that supports the law of conservation of mass

• using a GPS system to measure the movement of tectonic plates

• using biotechnology to develop a pest-resistant kind of corn

• finding a fossil of an unknown species of early human

Multiple Choice

Clara is working on an essay about science and what sets it apart from other disciplines. Which of the following statements about science should NOT be included in her essay?

• Scientific claims should be investigated by other scientists.

• Scientific theories, once they are supported by evidence, do not change.

• Sometimes accepted scientific theories are disproved or modified.

• Scientific theories should be reasonable and logical.

Multiple Choice

A scientist conducts an experiment on the structure of atoms. The results of the experiment seem to disprove parts of the accepted atomic theory. After the scientist publishes the results, other scientists conducting the same and similar experiments obtain similar results. Which of the following will most likely happen?

• The accepted atomic theory will be changed.

• The atomic theory will continue to be accepted as it is.

• The results of the new experiments will be disregarded.

• The accepted atomic theory will be completely discarded.

Multiple Choice

Scientists develop theories and laws to help them understand the natural world. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of plate tectonics?

• It is based only on ideas, not on evidence.

• It will never be changed even if new evidence is found.

• It is a rule that describes a certain relationship in nature.

• It is a well-supported explanation of related observations.

Multiple Choice

Luke has an idea that insects help cause thunderstorms. He calls his idea a theory. Trinity uses the cell theory to understand where bean plant cells come from. Trinity thinks that the cell theory is a scientific theory but that Luke's idea is not. How can Trinity best defend her conclusion?

• by demonstrating that the cell theory answers a question but Luke's idea does not

• by verifying that the cell theory applies to insects but Luke's idea does not apply to bean plants

• by demonstrating that the cell theory is supported by a large amount of data but Luke's idea is not

• by verifying that the cell theory was developed a long time ago and Luke's idea was developed recently

Multiple Choice

A scientific law describes something that is always true under certain conditions. A scientific theory explains a set of related observations. Both laws and theories are widely accepted ideas based on evidence. Which of the following ideas is a scientific theory?

• Energy can change from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

• In undisturbed rock layers, older layers always lie under younger layers.

• Gravitational force attracts all objects in the universe toward each other.

• Living things developed from earlier species that changed over time.

Multiple Choice

A timeline of some models of atoms throughout history is shown. These models have contributed to the formation of the atomic theory. Which statement best summarizes the development of the atomic theory over time?

• The discovery of new evidence resulted in changes to the atomic theory.

• Advancements in atomic models proved the atomic theory was accurate.

• The atomic theory was modified with the discovery of every new element.

• Changes in atomic models showed that the atomic theory was based on opinion.

Multiple Choice

Scientists in all branches of science have developed scientific theories. Which of the following statements is true about all scientific theories?

• Scientific theories are not widely accepted when they are first developed.

• Scientific theories are based on large amounts of evidence.

• Scientific theories will become scientific laws if enough scientists support them.

• Scientific theories are based on the work of individual scientists.

Multiple Choice

New evidence can cause scientists to revise a scientific theory. If new evidence comes to light, which is most likely to happen?

• The theory will be discarded immediately.

• The new evidence will be ignored.

• The theory will be revised immediately.

• After years of research, if the evidence still supports a change, the theory will be revised.

Multiple Choice

Scientists in all branches of science have developed scientific theories. Which of the following statements is true about all scientific theories?

• Scientific theories are based on large amounts of evidence.

• Scientific theories are based on the work of individual scientists.

• Scientific theories are mathematical principles that can be proven true.

• Scientific theories will become scientific laws if enough scientists support them.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes a specific relationship in nature that can be used to determine the relative ages of rock layers and fossils?

• theory of evolution

• law of superposition

• theory of plate tectonics

• law of conservation of energy