Scientific Law vs. Theory

A scientific ______ describes or predicts natural phenomena.

A scientific ______ explains why natural phenomena occur.

The greater the distance to a far off galaxy, the greater will be its observed speed. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• law
• theory

Large scale motion of several crustal plates explains many geological and biological similarities found among the continents of Earth. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• theory
• law

The total energy of an isolated system always remains constant. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• law
• theory

The pressure of an ideal gas is inversely proportional to its volume. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• law
• theory

The electrical current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across the conductor. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• law
• theory

For any closed system the total mass will remain constant. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• law
• theory

Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, or "germs". This is an example of a scientific ______.

• theory
• law

Only some collisions between particles will have enough energy to form new bonds, therefore chemical reactions occur at specific reaction rates. This is an example of a scientific ______.

• theory

• law