1-4b Scientific Theories and Laws

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What is a scientific law?

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A scientific law is a statement that describes a consistent and universal relationship observed in nature, often expressed mathematically, but does not explain why it occurs.

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Can a scientific law be demoted to a theory?

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False. A scientific law cannot be demoted to a theory; they serve different purposes in science.

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What are scientific theories based on?

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Scientific theories are based on large amounts of data collected over time.

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What do scientific laws tell us?

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Scientific laws tell us what happens but do not describe how or why it happens.

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Can a scientific theory become a law?

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False. A scientific theory cannot become a law; they are distinct concepts.

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What is a theory in science?

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A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that incorporates facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

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What is the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?

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A scientific law describes what happens under certain conditions, while a scientific theory explains why it happens.

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What is an example of a scientific law?

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Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which describes the gravitational attraction between masses.

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What is an example of a scientific theory?

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The Theory of Evolution, which explains the diversity of life through natural selection.

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What role do hypotheses play in scientific theories?

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Hypotheses are testable predictions that can be supported or refuted through experimentation and observation, contributing to the development of theories.

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