Theories and Laws

These explain how a natural phenomenon work

• theory

• law

These are the best explanation for a phenomenon with all of the available evidence

• law

• theory

These can change when new evidence is presented

• theory

• law

Plate tectonics is a

• theory

• law

These describe a natural phenomenon or relationship that always occurs under specific conditions

• theory

• law

These can often be represented mathematically and provide no explanation why a phenomenon occurs

• theory

• law

Universal gravitation, superposition, and Conservation of Mass and Energy are examples of

• Theory

• Law

Scientific theories/laws are based on the results of many investigations, are supported by large amounts of evidence, and are widely accepted by the majority of scientists in the given field of study

• True

• False

Scientists create both scientific theories and scientific laws as they make observations and conduct experiments about the natural world. Which of the following statements most accurately compares the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws

• sci laws are based on evidence while sci theories are not

• sci theories involve only biology, while laws involve all types of science

• sci theories involve mathematical equations, while sci laws are based on observations

• sci theories are ideas that explain natural events, while sci laws more reliably predict natural events

The development of microscopes allowed scientists to investigate living things in greater detail. Through many investigations, scientists found evidence that all living things are made of one or more basic units that divide to form new units. Scientists used their evidence to explain the relationship between these "building blocks of life" and the organisms to which they belong. What are these explanations called?

• cell theory

• germ theory

• law of mitosis

• law of biogenesis