Theory vs. Law Lesson

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following might be an example of a theory?

• You develop an equation that successfully predicts the size of a crater given the size of the meteor

• 
  You publish a paper analyzing the elements that make up a sample of a meteorite

• 
  You develop an idea about why the frequency of meteor impacts varies in a consistent pattern over several decades of observation

• You design a spacecraft that can land on a meteor and drill into it to sample its make-up

Multiple Choice

What made Mendeleev's theory about the organization of matter in the periodic table so powerful?

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  His theory predicted unknown elements that were later found

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  His theory later 'grew up' into a law about elemental properties

• He was the first scientist to attempt to organize elements in a pattern

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  When he paired oxygen with potassium, it went 'OK'

Multiple Choice

One can best compare the acceptance of a theory to:

• A foot race, where the first theory that comes up with an explanation wins

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  A lottery, where if you happen to be really lucky, you can win a prize

• A boxing match, where the winner has to be ready to fight the next opponent

• A cafeteria line, where scientists can just pick and chose parts they like best from each theory

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes how theories relate to laws?

• Theories are laws that have not been proven true yet

• Theories attempt to explain why things happen and laws predict what will happen

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  Laws are theories that have not been proven true yet

• Laws attempt to explain why things happen and theories predict what will happen

Multiple Choice

New data is found which goes against what scientists predicted should happen. Which of the following is NOT a potential result of the new research?

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  A current theory is discarded because it cannot explain the new data

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  A current law is charged to account for the new data

• A current theory is modified to better explain the new data

• Any of these are possible responses to new and unexpected data

Open Ended

What is the difference between a law about gravity and a theory about gravity?